The identification of anatomical structures with a single, informative term and absence of homonyms, among other principles, the primary task is being conducted by the International Federation of programs Anatomical Terminology (FIPAT) belonging to the International Federation of Anatomical Associations (IFAA). However, in the literature, particularly with clinical and surgical direction, there is still difficulty in adopting the Terminologia Anatomica Internacional (TAI), generating multiple names for the same anatomical structure, complicating scientific communication. The aim of this study was to analyze the terms used in the literature in relation to the joint capsule and joint ligaments of the temporomandibular joint. Scientific papers and textbooks on general and specific anatomy, of the temporomandibular joint is reviewed. We compared the terms adopted with TAI literature specialized terms, identifying the TAI terms most used, as well as those mentioned in scientific and textbook literature, but not present in the TAI. The analysis in this study identified the use of terms present and absent in TAI, analyzing their name, origin, insertion and specific function.