Glossary
Protrude
To project forwards/outwards.
Retrude
To pull backwards.
Retract
To draw back.
Mandible
The lower jaw bone in vertebrates.
Styloid process
The styloid process is a pointed piece of bone in frount of the mastoid process. It projects down and forward from the inferior surface of the temporal bone. It is the origin of several muscles associated with the tongue and larynx.
Hyoid bone
The hyoid bone is a horseshoe-shaped bone situated in the neck between the mandible and the thyroid cartilage. It is a point of attachment of the hyoid muscles and aids in tongue movement and swallowing.
Mental spine
A small projection located on the rear surface of the body of the mandible.
Condylar head
A process (the condyle) of the ramus of the mandible that articulates with the skull.
Articular disc
A thin, oval plate of fibrocartilage present in the joint between the mandible and skull. It separates the synovial cavities.
Medial
Toward the middle.
Lateral
Away from the middle.
Zygomatic arch
Is formed by the temporal process of the zygomatic bone and the zygomatic process of the temporal bone and forms the cheek bone.
Zygomatic process
A bony process of the temporal bone that forms part of the zygomatic arch (cheek bone).
Ramus
A projection from the posterior side of the mandible behind the lower teeth.
Coronoid process
A process on the mandible on the anterior surface of the ramus.
Temporal fossa
A fan-shaped dip in the lateral surface of the skull. Point of origin of the temporalis muscle.