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Definition of Mandible

From , former About.com Guide

Updated August 07, 2009

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Definition:

The mandible is the lower jaw bone. The mandible is the only movable part of the jaw bone, connecting to the maxilla, or upper jaw, at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The condyles are the section of the mandible that act as the "ball" in the ball and socket design of the TMJ. The lower teeth are formed and erupt in the section of the mandible called the alveolar process. When referring to the lower teeth, the term mandibular is used.

Also Known As: lower jaw bone
Common Misspellings: mandable

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