what is a mandible bone

The mandible, also known as the lower jaw, is the largest and strongest bone in the human skull. It is located inferiorly in the facial skeleton and forms the lower jawline, holding the bottom row of teeth in place and shaping the contour of the inferior third of the face. The mandible is composed of a horseshoe-shaped body and two vertical rami that meet at the angle of the mandible. It articulates with the skull base at the bilateral temporomandibular joints, allowing a range of movements facilitated by associated muscles, including dental occlusion with the maxilla. The mandible is also the insertion point for a range of muscles involved in facial expression. Mandible fractures are relatively common in trauma, particularly among young males, and half are caused by interpersonal violence.