mandible /man″dibəl/ [L, mandere, to chew] , a large U-shaped bone constituting the lower jaw. It contains the lower teeth and consists of a horizontal part, a body, and two perpendicular rami that join the body at almost right angles. The body of the mandible is curved, somewhat resembling a horseshoe, and has two surfaces and two borders. The superior border of the mandible contains sockets for the 16 lower teeth. The inferior border provides a groove for the facial artery. Compare maxilla.
