It is situated medially to - and generally separate from - the articular capsule of the joint.

[3] The lateral pterygoid muscle, auriculotemporal nerve, and the maxillary artery and maxillary vein are situated laterally to the SML (the vessels and nerve coursing betwixt the SML, and the neck of the mandibular condyle[1][3]).

[1] The chorda tympani nerve is situated medially to the SML[1] near its upper end.

[citation needed] The medial pterygoid muscle is situated inferolaterally to the SML.

[1] The function of the sphenomandibular ligament is to limit distension of the mandible in an inferior direction.