In maximum mouth opening:
a. Rotation of condyle around the disk.
b. Rotation of disk****
c. One condyle forward and other with long axis
At this point, if the mouth continues to open, not only is the condylar head rotating within the lower compartment of the TMJ, but also the entire apparatus (condylar head and articular disc) translates. Although this had traditionally been explained as a forward and downward sliding motion, on the anterior concave surface of the glenoid fossa and the posterior convex surface of the articular eminence, this translation actually amounts to a rotation around another axis. This effectively produces an evaluate which can be termed the resultant axis of mandibular rotation, which lies in the vicinity of the mandibular foramen, allowing for a low-tension environment for the vasculature and innervation of the mandible.