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Encyclopedia of Science   mandible medial aspect (left side)
Medial aspect of the mandible (left side) mandible lateral
aspect (right side) Lateral aspect of the mandible (right side)
The mandible is the lower jawbone (see jaw) of a human or other
vertebrate skull; the upper jawbone is the maxilla. The mandible
is the only moveable bone of the skull. It is U-shaped as seen
from above and bears the lower teeth on its upper surface. It is
connected to the base of the skull at the temporomandibular
joints, which can be felt in the cheek just in front of the
earlobe. Powerful muscles, arising from the temple on either
side, attach to the mandible for movements needed in chewing and
biting; other muscles allow side-to-side and downward movement.
Through the late teens, the human mandible and lower face show a
much greater degree of growth than the upper part of the face
and head.  Detailed anatomy  The mandible consists of a
horseshoe-shaped body and a pair of