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Dentistry vocabulary · Teeth and Oral Anatomy

Mandible

Meaning in dentistry, with examples

/ˈmændɪbəl/nounCommon term

In dentistry, mandible means: The lower jaw bone. It holds the lower teeth, moves at the jaw joints, and contains the canal of the nerve that supplies feeling to the lower teeth and lip.

In Turkish: mandibula, alt çene, alt çene kemiği

How it is used

Used in anatomy, surgery and imaging. The adjective is mandibular (mandibular molars, mandibular block). Patients say lower jaw. Planning for implants and wisdom tooth removal takes the mandibular canal into account.

Example sentences

  1. The roots of the lower wisdom tooth are close to the nerve canal in the mandible.

  2. A mandibular block numbs the lower teeth on one side, the lip and usually the tongue.

Common collocations

  • mandibular canal
  • mandibular molars
  • mandibular block
  • fractured mandible
  • maxillaThe upper jaw bone. It holds the upper teeth, forms most of the hard palate, and contains the maxillary sinuses above the back teeth.
  • TMJShort for temporomandibular joint: the joint just in front of each ear that connects the lower jaw to the skull and lets the mouth open, close and move sideways.
  • local anestheticA drug injected near a tooth or nerve to numb one area of the mouth, so that treatment does not hurt while the patient stays fully awake.
  • wisdom toothThe third and last molar at the back of each side of both jaws. It usually comes through between the late teens and the mid-twenties and often lacks space to erupt properly.

More terms: Teeth and Oral Anatomy

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.