Dictionary Definition
mandible n : the lower jawbone in vertebrates; it
is hinged to open the mouth [syn: lower jaw,
mandibula, mandibular
bone, submaxilla,
lower
jawbone, jawbone,
jowl]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From etyl la mandibula.Pronunciation
- /ˈmændɪb(ə)l/ or
- /"m
Extensive Definition
The mandible (from Latin
mandibula, "jawbone") or inferior maxillary bone is, together with
the maxilla, the largest
and strongest bone of the
face . It forms the lower
jaw and holds the lower
teeth in
place.
Components
The mandible consists of:- a curved, horizontal portion, the body. (See body of mandible).
- two perpendicular portions, the rami, which unite with the ends of the body nearly at right angles. (See ramus mandibulae)
- Alveolar process, the tooth bearing area of the mandible (upper part of the body of the mandible)
- Condyle, superior (upper) and posterior projection from the ramus, which makes the temporomandibular joint with the temporal bone
- Coronoid process, superior and anterior projection from the ramus. This provides attachment to the temporalis muscle
Foramens
- Mandibular foramen, paired, in the inner (medial) aspect of the mandible, superior to the mandibular angle in the middle of the ramus.
- Mental foramen, paired, lateral to the mental protuberance on the body of mandible.
Nerves
Inferior alveolar nerve, branch of the mandibular division of Trigeminal (V) nerve, enters the mandibular foramen and runs forward in the mandibular canal, supplying sensation to the teeth. At the mental foramen the nerve divides into two terminal branches: incisive and mental nerves. The incisive nerve runs forward in the mandible and supplies the anterior teeth. The mental nerve exits the mental foramen and supplies sensation to the lower lip.Articulations
The mandible articulates with the two temporal bones at the temporomandibular jointsInjuries
Mandibular fractures are often accompanied by a 'twin fracture' on the contralateral (opposite) side.The mandible may be dislocated
anteriorly (to the front) and inferiorly (downwards) but very
rarely posteriorly (backwards).
Excessive growth of the
mandible is linked to balance problems.
See also
Additional images
Image:Human jawbone
front.jpg|Front Image:Illu facial bones.jpg|Facial bones
Image:Mandibula lateral.png|Lateral Image:800px-Unterkiefer
dorsal.png|Dorsal
References
External links
- - "Oral Cavity: Bones"
- Diagram at uni-mainz.de
mandible in Arabic: فك
سفلي
mandible in Catalan:
Maxil·lar inferior
mandible in German:
Unterkiefer
mandible in Dhivehi: ކަތުރު
ކަށިގަނޑު
mandible in Spanish: Maxilar
inferior
mandible in Esperanto:
Mandiblo
mandible in French: Mandibule
(os)
mandible in Western Frisian:
Undertsjeak
mandible in Scottish Gaelic:
Peirceall
mandible in Galician:
Mandíbula
mandible in Croatian:
Mandibula
mandible in Italian:
Mandibola
mandible in Hebrew: לסת
תחתונה
mandible in Georgian:
მანდიბულები
mandible in Kurdish:
Kajû
mandible in Latin:
Mandibula
mandible in Latvian:
Apakšžoklis
mandible in Lithuanian:
Apatinis žandikaulis
mandible in Hungarian:
Állkapocscsont
mandible in Dutch: Mandibula
(anatomie)
mandible in Japanese:
下顎骨
mandible in Polish:
Żuchwa
mandible in Portuguese:
Mandíbula
mandible in Slovak:
Sánka
mandible in Slovenian:
Spodnja čeljustnica
mandible in Serbian: Доња
вилица
mandible in Tagalog:
Pangibabang panga
mandible in Tamil:
தாடையெலும்பு
mandible in Ukrainian:
Нижньощелепна кістка
mandible in Chinese:
下颌骨