Abstract： Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a unique synovial joint in mammals. There have been many reports on the structure and function of TMJ during embryonic development.Although studies on TMJ related signal molecules and transcription factors during embryonic development have been carried out since the last century, there are few reports on the molecular genetic regulation of TMJ compared with the abundant molecular regulation information of synovial joint. The studies on signal molecules and transcription factors of TMJ embryonic development were mainly conducted in rodents.There were few studies on the regulatory molecules and their regulatory mechanisms related to the development of TMJ conducted in large mammals and human embryos. This article reviews the research progress of key signal molecules and transcription factors of TMJ in embryonic development on the basis of modern molecular biology technology in order to find more core regulatory molecules and understand their regulation mechanism on TMJ development.