Angle of the mandible

Angle of the Mandible

The human mandible, showing the angle of the mandible marked in red.

The angle of the mandible (also known as the gonial angle) is a significant anatomical landmark in the human skull. It is located at the posterior border at the junction of the lower border of the mandible, or lower jawbone.

Anatomy

The angle of the mandible, which can vary between individuals, is typically around 110-120 degrees in adults. It is less obtuse in males, averaging about 118 degrees, while in females it averages about 123 degrees. This angle is also less obtuse in children, becoming more defined with age.

The angle is formed by the junction of the lower border of the body of the mandible and the posterior border of the ramus of the mandible. The masseter muscle, one of the muscles of mastication, is attached to the outer surface of the angle of the mandible.

Clinical Significance

The angle of the mandible can be used as a landmark in several medical procedures, including the administration of a mandibular nerve block. It is also used in forensic medicine to help determine the sex and age of unidentified human remains.

Changes in the angle of the mandible can be indicative of certain medical conditions. For example, an increased gonial angle can be associated with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD), while a decreased angle can be a sign of micrognathia or mandibular retrognathia.

See Also

• Mandible
• Human skull
• Masseter muscle

External Links

• Wikimedia Commons Category: Angle of the Mandible