How to Identify the Mandible

The mandible is named for the Latin word "mandere," meaning "to chew," referring to the function of this bone. It is also called the inferior maxillary bone and is the largest bone in the face. The mandible consists of a body, two rami, the alveolar process, the condyle and the coronoid process. The following steps will show you how to identify the mandible.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Observe the body of the mandible. It is horizontal and curved like a horseshoe with the external surface showing a median line where the mandible was composed of two pieces during embryonic development.

2. Look at the two rami. These are two portions of the mandible that unite with the body at nearly right angles. The lateral surface has oblique ridges on almost the entire lower part that provide an attachment for the masseter. The mandibular foramen is on the center of the medial surface which allow for the passage of the inferior alveolar blood vessels and nerves.

3. Examine the alveolar process. This is the superior border of the mandible that receives the teeth in 16 hollow cavities. The buccinator is attached to the outer lip of the alveolar process as far as the first molar.

4. Inspect the condyle process. It is located on each ramus behind the mandibular notch and provides an articular surface with the temporomandibular joint.

5. Study the coronoid process. It is located in front of the mandibular joint and the lateral surface provides attachments for the masseter and temporalis muscles.

Resources

• Learn more about identifying the mandible at Dental Find.