The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between horizontal morphology of lateral pterygoid muscle and onset of temporomandibular joint disorders. Randomly selected 150 subjects, assigned with equal number in terms of gender and age group, were included. The axial and sagittal images in their magnetic resonance images of the temporomandibular joints were used to measure the morphologic characteristics of lateral pterygoid muscles and temporomandibular joints. The measurement variables were maximal horizontal width and insertion angle to the condyle, position of the articular disc, condylar deformity, and joint effusion. In addition, presence or absence of the temporomandibular joint pain was examined through history and palpation of the joints. The relationships among measurement variables were analyzed and the results were as follow. The insertion angle of the lateral pterygoid muscle to the condyle was higher in the joint of anterior disc displacement without reduction than that in the joint of normal disc position. In addition, the maximal horizontal width of the lateral pterygoid muscle was significantly increased in joints with pain than those without pain. Also, the insertion angle was significantly higher in younger age group and the maximal width was significantly greater in male than in female. These results suggest that high insertion angle of lateral pterygoid muscle might be an important anatomic predisposing factor for anterior disc displacement in temporomandibular joint and muscular activity of lateral pterygoid muscle might be affected by preauricular pain. In conclusion, there might be a bi-directional interaction between lateral pterygoid muscle and joint in the progression of anterior disc displacement in temporomandibular joint.