Anatomy of the Mandible

The main anatomical landmarks and features of the human lower jawbone.

• Body: The curved, horizontal portion of the mandible that supports the lower teeth.
• Ramus: The vertical or ascending quadrilateral plate extending upward from the body.
• Angle of the mandible: The bony prominence where the inferior border of the body meets the posterior border of the ramus.
• Coronoid process: The thin, triangular anterior process at the superior border of the ramus for temporalis muscle attachment.
• Condylar process: The posterior superior projection of the ramus that articulates with the temporal bone.
• Mandibular notch: The deep, concave depression situated between the coronoid and condylar processes.
• Mental foramen: An opening on the lateral surface of the mandibular body transmitting the mental nerve and blood vessels.
• Mental protuberance: The triangular bony projection forming the prominence of the chin.
• Alveolar process: The superior border of the body containing the sockets for the lower teeth.
• Neck of the mandible: The constricted portion directly below the mandibular condyle.