Mandible

Mandibula

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What it is
The lower jaw, the only freely movable skull bone: a U-shaped body carrying the 16 lower teeth and the chin, and two vertical rami ending in the coronoid process (for temporalis) and the condyle that sits in the temporomandibular joint in front of the ear.
Function
Opens and closes the mouth for chewing and speech, driven by the masseter, temporalis and pterygoid muscles.
Size
≈ 10 cm between the angles; ramus ≈ 5–6 cm tall
Clinical note
The strongest facial bone, yet often fractured in two places at once because it forms a ring with the skull base.

Nearby skeletal structures Lower left first molar, Lower left second molar, Lower left third molar, Lower right first molar, Lower right second molar, Lower right third molar, Upper left second molar, Upper left third molar, Upper right second molar, Upper right third molar