Mandibular prosthetics date back to ancient Egypt and China, but significant advancements were made in the late 19th century with new techniques for attaching prosthetics to a depreciated jawbone as well as bone grafting. What Is the Mandible (Lower Jaw)? The mandible is the lower jaw bone.

Understanding the Context

It holds your bottom teeth, gives shape to the lower face, and connects to the skull through the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) so you can chew, speak, yawn, and bite. Teeth are organised into two opposing arches – maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower). These can be divided down the midline (mid-sagittal plane) into left and right halves. Besides the bones of the middle ear, the mandible is the only mobile bone in the skull.

Key Insights

Unlike other bones of the skull, the mandible doesn’t articulate with the surrounding bones via sutures, but rather via a synovial joint called the temporomandibular joint. Understanding mandibular anatomy is crucial for diagnosing and treating TMJ disorders, which affect millions of people worldwide. The mandible’s structure is fundamental for dental procedures, implant placement, and orthodontic treatments.