“…The items are largely classified by assessing individuals on “mastication”, “vertical jaw mobility”, “verbal and emotional expression”, and “miscellaneous” activities, such as swallowing and yawning. 16 Although previous research have suggested that TMD patients tend to experience more difficulty in chewing and more severe jaw function limitations, 16 , 30 few studies explored the influence of TMJ effusion on jaw function. It was reported in an earlier study by Thomas et al that TMJ effusion was significantly associated with mouth opening, an important mandibular movement for the functioning of yawning and swallowing.…”