Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionConditionsTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anatomy
Function
Conditions
Treatment
The mandible bone’s function is to open and close the mouth for chewing and speech. It also helps protect the organs of the face and hold the lower set of teeth in place. The mandible forms a joint on either side with the temporal bone: the temporomandibular joint.
Health issues that arise with this bone usually have to do with fracture or dislocation due to trauma. Corrective surgeries may also be performed on the mandible to correct misalignment due to improper development of the jaw.
Also known as the lower jawbone, the mandible is the largest and strongest bone of the face. It has a symmetrical, horseshoe shape. The mandible is not directly connected to other bones of the skull and is the only moving bone of the skull. The mandible and the maxilla form the lower and upper parts of the jaw, respectively.
The mandible is attached to the major muscle groups of mastication (chewing) and the ligaments that make up thetemporomandibularjoint that allows motion.Its anatomy is divided into two major sections: the body and the ramus.
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Body
The body of the mandible is the almost rectangular front (anterior) portion of the bone. It is grafted to the ramus (wing-like portion) on each side.
Ramus
Representing the “wings” of the mandible, the ramus arises on each side of the jaw. It contains two bony prominences that bind the temporomandibular joint, which allows the bone to move.
The lower surfaces of the ramus define the jawline, and the outer sides are connected to the masseter muscle (for chewing). The inner surfaces contain several openings (fossa) that allow important nerves and arteries to access the mouth region.
Location
The inferior alveolar nerve, a branch of themandibular nerve, accesses the mandible foramen and runs frontward, providing sensation to the lower set of teeth.
At the mental foramen, it branches into two nerves:
Given that this bone is involved with mouth motions, many important muscle groups also make contact with the mandible. A number of muscles arise from this bone:
Furthermore, other muscles link to the mandible, including the following:
What are the bones of the jaw?The jaw consists of two bones—the mandible and the maxilla. The lower teeth are anchored into the mandible, and the upper teeth are in the maxilla. The term “jawbone” refers to the mandible.
What are the bones of the jaw?
The jaw consists of two bones—the mandible and the maxilla. The lower teeth are anchored into the mandible, and the upper teeth are in the maxilla. The term “jawbone” refers to the mandible.
Anatomical Variations
Typically, males have more square-shaped mandibles than females. This is because males have larger mental protuberances and a smaller mandibular angle.
In rare instances, the alveolar canal may be duplicated or even triplicated.This is usually seen on X-rays and can complicate anesthesia practice in oral or facial surgery as there is a risk of accidentally piercing and damaging the nerves that populate these canals.
In addition, some may have a condition calledmicrognathia, which is an abnormally small mandible; others have the opposite—prognathia—which leads to an underbite.
Finally, cleft chin, which is basically an incomplete joining together of the bones of the mandible, can arise during embryonic development. In these cases, there is a Y-shaped dimple in the middle of the chin.
Function of the Mandible
The mandible moves in opposition to the maxilla (upper jaw) when you are chewing or biting your food. It is also important for other movements of the mouth including those necessary for speech.
Along with the maxilla, the mandible has an essential structural and protective function. Important nerves and muscles run through this bone and emerge from it, and it houses the lower set of teeth. The mandible also protects important structures in the face and neck including the upper airway and the carotid artery.
Associated Conditions
The most commonly seen issue that arises in the mandible is fracture or dislocation due to an accident or fall.
Furthermore, positioning of the mandible can be implicated insleep apnea, cleft palate, andtemporomandibular joint disorders(pain right at the juncture of the upper and lower jaw).
Depending on the injury, soft tissues may also need to be pierced and used as additional support.
Orthognathicsurgery treats problems stemming from a misaligned jaw, as well as sleep apnea,cleft palate, and temporomandibular joint disorders.Basically, this is an osteotomy, which is the cutting and shaping of a portion of the bone to manipulate fit. Those with micrognathia may require this type of surgery to correct alignment.
After surgery, a significant amount of rehabilitation will be needed, with emphasis placed on ensuring proper positioning of the mandible with regard to the rest of the skull.
Summary
The mandible is the lower jawbone. Its primary function is chewing but it also serves to protect important structures in the face and neck.
The mandible can be fractured or dislocated, and misalignment can lead to other medical conditions such as sleep apnea and temporomandibular joint disorders.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Woodford SC, Robinson DL, Mehl A, Lee PVS, Ackland DC.Measurement of normal and pathological mandibular and temporomandibular joint kinematics: A systematic review.J Biomech. 2020;111:109994. doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.109994Marinković S, Hodžić H, Oruč M, Boljanović J.The maxillary neurovascular canals as the basis for the local anesthesia efficacy.J Orthod. 2018;4(4):15. doi:10.21767/2469-2980.100065Zavlin D, Jubbal KT, Echo A, Izaddoost SA, Friedman JD, Olorunnipa O.Multi-institutional analysis of surgical management and outcomes of mandibular fracture repair in adults.Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr. 2018;11(1):41–48. doi:10.1055/s-0037-1603460Allal S, Rabuel V, Gengler C, Douchet C, Allal F, Zwetyenga N.Case report of osteomyelitis of the mandible in osteopetrosis and management considerations.Int J Surg Case Rep. 2021;81:105813. doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2021.105813UCSF Health.Jaw deformities.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Orthognathic surgery.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Woodford SC, Robinson DL, Mehl A, Lee PVS, Ackland DC.Measurement of normal and pathological mandibular and temporomandibular joint kinematics: A systematic review.J Biomech. 2020;111:109994. doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.109994Marinković S, Hodžić H, Oruč M, Boljanović J.The maxillary neurovascular canals as the basis for the local anesthesia efficacy.J Orthod. 2018;4(4):15. doi:10.21767/2469-2980.100065Zavlin D, Jubbal KT, Echo A, Izaddoost SA, Friedman JD, Olorunnipa O.Multi-institutional analysis of surgical management and outcomes of mandibular fracture repair in adults.Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr. 2018;11(1):41–48. doi:10.1055/s-0037-1603460Allal S, Rabuel V, Gengler C, Douchet C, Allal F, Zwetyenga N.Case report of osteomyelitis of the mandible in osteopetrosis and management considerations.Int J Surg Case Rep. 2021;81:105813. doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2021.105813UCSF Health.Jaw deformities.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Orthognathic surgery.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Woodford SC, Robinson DL, Mehl A, Lee PVS, Ackland DC.Measurement of normal and pathological mandibular and temporomandibular joint kinematics: A systematic review.J Biomech. 2020;111:109994. doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.109994Marinković S, Hodžić H, Oruč M, Boljanović J.The maxillary neurovascular canals as the basis for the local anesthesia efficacy.J Orthod. 2018;4(4):15. doi:10.21767/2469-2980.100065Zavlin D, Jubbal KT, Echo A, Izaddoost SA, Friedman JD, Olorunnipa O.Multi-institutional analysis of surgical management and outcomes of mandibular fracture repair in adults.Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr. 2018;11(1):41–48. doi:10.1055/s-0037-1603460Allal S, Rabuel V, Gengler C, Douchet C, Allal F, Zwetyenga N.Case report of osteomyelitis of the mandible in osteopetrosis and management considerations.Int J Surg Case Rep. 2021;81:105813. doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2021.105813UCSF Health.Jaw deformities.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Orthognathic surgery.
Woodford SC, Robinson DL, Mehl A, Lee PVS, Ackland DC.Measurement of normal and pathological mandibular and temporomandibular joint kinematics: A systematic review.J Biomech. 2020;111:109994. doi:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.109994
Marinković S, Hodžić H, Oruč M, Boljanović J.The maxillary neurovascular canals as the basis for the local anesthesia efficacy.J Orthod. 2018;4(4):15. doi:10.21767/2469-2980.100065
Zavlin D, Jubbal KT, Echo A, Izaddoost SA, Friedman JD, Olorunnipa O.Multi-institutional analysis of surgical management and outcomes of mandibular fracture repair in adults.Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr. 2018;11(1):41–48. doi:10.1055/s-0037-1603460
Allal S, Rabuel V, Gengler C, Douchet C, Allal F, Zwetyenga N.Case report of osteomyelitis of the mandible in osteopetrosis and management considerations.Int J Surg Case Rep. 2021;81:105813. doi:10.1016/j.ijscr.2021.105813
UCSF Health.Jaw deformities.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Orthognathic surgery.
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