Jawbone

Jawbone

The jawbone or mandible is the largest, strongest and lowest bone in the human face. It forms the lower jaw and holds the lower teeth in place. The mandible sits beneath the maxilla. It is the only movable bone of the skull (discounting the ossicles of the middle ear).

Anatomy

The mandible consists of:

• The body, which forms the chin.
• The ramus (plural: rami), which projects upward from the body and ends in two processes:
  • The condylar process, which forms the mandibular condyle, the articulation point of the mandible and the skull.
  • The coronoid process, which provides attachment for the temporalis muscle.

Function

The mandible plays a vital role in many common tasks, including chewing, speech, and facial expression.

Clinical significance

Diseases of the jawbone can lead to significant disability due to its essential role in these functions. Conditions that can affect the jawbone include fractures, infections, and cancer.

See also

• Maxilla
• Skull
• Teeth
• Mandibular condyle
• Temporalis muscle

References

Jawbone Resources
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