{# Crawler directives — per-engine only. A bare `robots` meta is deliberately absent: pruning here is a Google indexation decision, never a crawl block, so AI crawlers keep the full surface. #}

Mandíbula

Os mandibulae

The only movable bone of the skull, the mandible forms the lower jaw and is essential to mastication, the articulation of speech, and support of the lower dental arch. A horseshoe-shaped body carries the alveolar process and the lower teeth, and two vertical rami rise behind it, each bearing a condylar process for the temporomandibular joint and a coronoid process for attachment of the temporalis muscle. The mental foramen transmits the mental nerve. Mandibular fractures are the second most common facial fractures, and the inferior alveolar nerve, running within the mandibular canal, can be injured during extraction of the wisdom teeth. Temporomandibular joint disorders produce jaw pain and dysfunction.

La mandíbula está formada por un cuerpo en forma de herradura y dos ramas verticales. El cuerpo contiene el proceso alveolar que aloja los dientes inferiores. Cada rama tiene un proceso condilar (para la ATM) y un proceso coronoides (para la inserción del músculo temporal). El foramen mentoniano permite el paso del nervio mentoniano.

On this page
Tipo Bone
Sistema corporal Esquelético
Región corporal Cara
Nombre latino Os mandibulae
FMA ID 52748

Función

El único hueso móvil del cráneo, que forma la mandíbula inferior. Esencial para la masticación, la articulación del habla y el mantenimiento de la arcada dentaria inferior.

Significado clínico

Las fracturas mandibulares son las segundas fracturas faciales más frecuentes. El nervio alveolar inferior discurre por el conducto mandibular y puede dañarse durante la extracción de las muelas del juicio. Los trastornos de la articulación temporomandibular causan dolor y disfunción mandibular.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the function of the mandible?

The mandible (lower jaw) is the only movable bone of the skull. It houses the lower teeth and provides the bony framework for the lower face. Through the temporomandibular joints (TMJ), it enables chewing (mastication), speech articulation, swallowing, and mouth opening. The masseter, medial pterygoid, temporalis, and lateral pterygoid muscles attach to it to drive these movements.

What bones does the mandible articulate with?

The mandible articulates exclusively with the temporal bones of the skull, forming the left and right temporomandibular joints (TMJ). These are the only synovial joints of the skull and are unique in having an articular disc (meniscus) dividing the joint space. The mandible does not articulate directly with any other bones; it is connected to the hyoid bone only via muscles and ligaments.

What is a mandible fracture?

Mandibular fractures are among the most common facial fractures, frequently resulting from motor vehicle accidents, falls, or interpersonal violence. Common fracture sites include the condylar neck, symphysis/parasymphysis (chin region), and angle of the mandible. They often present with malocclusion (misaligned bite), pain, swelling, and trismus (inability to open the mouth). Treatment typically involves closed or open reduction with internal fixation.

References

  1. Foundational Model of Anatomy — FMA:52748 Reference anatomy ontology (University of Washington)
  2. UBERON — UBERON:0001684 Cross-species anatomy ontology (EMBL-EBI Ontology Lookup Service)
  3. Wikipedia — Mandíbula Encyclopedia article (verified cross-reference)

Aviso médico

Este contenido es solo para fines educativos e informativos. No pretende ser un sustituto del consejo médico profesional, diagnóstico o tratamiento. Siempre busque el consejo de su médico u otro proveedor de salud calificado ante cualquier pregunta que pueda tener sobre una condición médica. Nunca ignore el consejo médico profesional ni demore en buscarlo debido a algo que haya leído en este sitio web.

Educational Disclaimer

This content is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical decisions.

Data sources: Terminologia Anatomica, Foundational Model of Anatomy, Wikidata.