This report describes the clinical and radiographic findings together with surgical management of temporomandibular joint contents herniation through the tympanic plate of the external auditory canal. Two patients are reported. A review of the literature is presented, including a brief discussion of the embryological development of the external auditory canal. Excluding infection, trauma or neoplasm, the defect in the tympanic plate of the external auditory canal represents a developmental aberration with failure of the foramen of Huschke to close during development.

A pre-auricular approach with insertion and fixation of an onlay polyethylene implant to prevent prolapse of the peri-articular tissues into the ear canal is presented and described.