Lower jaw terminology

Condyle

The smooth surface area at the end of a bone, forming a joint

Coronoid Process

Provides a point of attachment for the jaw muscles responsible for chewing including the masseter and Temporalis.

Mandibular notch

The concave U-shaped groove found the upper part of the ramus. It’s bounded by the coronoid process anteriorly and the condylar process posteriorly.

Ramus

Contributes to the lateral portion of the mandible on either side

Mandibular angle

Two corners found along the posterior inferior aspects of both the right and left ramus of the mandible

Oblique line

A subtle ridge found on the outer surface of the body of mandible. It begins at the sharp anterior border of the ramus

Mental foramen

The opening through which the mental nerve exits the mandible and is usually located either between the roots of the first and second Mandibular premolars or apical to the second premolar

Mental protuberance

The bony protuberance at the front of the lower jaw forming the chin

Alveolar process

The bone portion of the mandible surrounding and supporting the teeth