Category: M

A part of the trigeminal nerve referred to as the third division. The trigeminal nerve exits the skull via the foramen ovale. The mandibular nerve feeds motor innervation to the muscles of mastication, tensor veli palatini muscle, tensor tympani muscle, anterior belly of the digastric muscle, and mylohyoid muscle. Sensory innervation is provided to the…

Movement of the mandible as it changes position relative to the maxilla or other structures.  

A mandible that is atypically small and characteristically associated with a diminished chin form.  

An obsolete term referring to the mandibular position that allows for hinge axis‐type movements upon opening and closing relative to the maxilla.  

The side‐to‐side, protrusive, and intermediate movements of the mandible occurring when the teeth or other occluding surfaces are in contact. The movement of the mandible in any direction as the teeth come into contact.  

The opening into the mandibular canal on the medial surface of the ramus of the mandible giving passage to the inferior alveolar nerve, artery, and vein. The opening on the medial surface of the mandibular ramus through which the inferior alveolar vessels and nerve enter the mandibular canal.  

The medial deformation in the body of the mandible due to the contraction of the pterygoid muscles during opening and protrusion.  

Adjustments to the occlusal surfaces of the natural teeth or prosthetic teeth in the lower arch (mandible) that place the mandible in a condition whereby forces placed on it by the opposing dentition are neutralized and a state of equilibrium is created.  

A condition in which the two halves of the mandible lack symmetry in size or form.  

A unilateral or bilateral displacement of the mandibular condyle(s) out of the glenoid fossa(e) that precludes normal occlusion of the teeth.