The mandible is the largest bone of the viscerocranium of the skull. It is a single bone that appears U-shaped. Also, the mandible is the only movable cranial bone. Additionally, the mandible forms the lower part of the jaw and supports the lower (mandibular) teeth. Moreover, it is the strongest bone of the skull, and it is connected to the skull at both temporomandibular joints.

The mandible is composed of two main parts - the body of the mandible (unpaired) and the ramus of the mandible (paired). The body is the horizontal portion that supports the lower teeth, while the ramus is the vertical part that connects the body to the skull. Both mandible parts form an angle known as the angle of the mandible. Overall, the mandible plays an essential role in biting, chewing, and speaking.

The mandible has numerous anatomical landmarks. However, the most important structures that serve as the insertion sites for the primary masticatory muscles include the following features:

• Ramus of the mandible
• Angle of the mandible
• Coronoid process
• Condylar process

Also, identify the structures of the mandible listed below:

• Mandibular notch
• Lingula
• Mandibular foramen
• Mylohyoid groove
• Mylohyoid line
• Mental foramen
• Alveolar yoke
• Submandibular fossa
• Sublingual fossa
• Digastric fossa
• Mental spines

Note: To learn more about the mandible and all its anatomical landmarks, please visit our Skull article in the 3D Head and neck category!