The Mandible
The mandible, located inferiorly in the facial skeleton, is the largest and strongest
bone of the face.
It forms the lower jaw and acts as a receptacle for the lower teeth. It also articulates
on either side with the temporal bone, forming the temporomandibular joint.
In this article, we will look at the anatomy and clinical importance of the mandible.
Fig 1 – Anterior and lateral views of the mandible within the facial skeleton.
Anatomical Structure
The mandible consists of a horizontal body (anteriorly) and two vertical rami
(posteriorly). The body and the rami meet on each side at the angle of the mandible.
Body
The body of the mandible is curved, and shaped much like a horseshoe. It has two
borders:
Alveolar border (superior) – contains 16 sockets to hold the lower teeth.
Base (inferior) – site of attachment for the digastric muscle medially
The body is marked in the midline by the mandibular symphysis. This is a small ridge
of bone that represents the fusion of the two halves during development. The
symphysis encloses a triangular eminence – the mental protuberance, which forms
the shape of the chin.
, Lateral to the mental protuberance is the mental foramen (below the second
premolar tooth on either side). It acts as a passageway for neurovascular structures.
Rami
There are two mandibular rami, which project perpendicularly upwards from the
angle of the mandible. Each ramus contains the following bony landmarks:
o Head – situated posteriorly, and articulates with the temporal bone to form
the temporomandibular joint.
o Neck – supports the head of the ramus, and site of
attachment of the lateral pterygoid muscle.
o Coronoid process – site of attachment of the
temporalis muscle
The internal surface of the ramus is also marked by the mandibular foramen, which
acts as a passageway for neurovascular structures.
Fig 2 – Internal surface of the mandible and its bony landmarks.
Foramina
A foramen refers to any opening through which neurovascular structures can travel.
The mandible is marked by two foramina.
The mandible, located inferiorly in the facial skeleton, is the largest and strongest
bone of the face.
It forms the lower jaw and acts as a receptacle for the lower teeth. It also articulates
on either side with the temporal bone, forming the temporomandibular joint.
In this article, we will look at the anatomy and clinical importance of the mandible.
Fig 1 – Anterior and lateral views of the mandible within the facial skeleton.
Anatomical Structure
The mandible consists of a horizontal body (anteriorly) and two vertical rami
(posteriorly). The body and the rami meet on each side at the angle of the mandible.
Body
The body of the mandible is curved, and shaped much like a horseshoe. It has two
borders:
Alveolar border (superior) – contains 16 sockets to hold the lower teeth.
Base (inferior) – site of attachment for the digastric muscle medially
The body is marked in the midline by the mandibular symphysis. This is a small ridge
of bone that represents the fusion of the two halves during development. The
symphysis encloses a triangular eminence – the mental protuberance, which forms
the shape of the chin.
, Lateral to the mental protuberance is the mental foramen (below the second
premolar tooth on either side). It acts as a passageway for neurovascular structures.
Rami
There are two mandibular rami, which project perpendicularly upwards from the
angle of the mandible. Each ramus contains the following bony landmarks:
o Head – situated posteriorly, and articulates with the temporal bone to form
the temporomandibular joint.
o Neck – supports the head of the ramus, and site of
attachment of the lateral pterygoid muscle.
o Coronoid process – site of attachment of the
temporalis muscle
The internal surface of the ramus is also marked by the mandibular foramen, which
acts as a passageway for neurovascular structures.
Fig 2 – Internal surface of the mandible and its bony landmarks.
Foramina
A foramen refers to any opening through which neurovascular structures can travel.
The mandible is marked by two foramina.
