Anatomy of the Mandible Quiz

Anatomy of the Mandible

• Fibrous Connective Tissue Covering Alveolar Ridge: Covers the crest of the lower ridge, is thin and not firmly attached, especially in the lower ridge. This affects denture stability.
• External Oblique Ridge: Extends upwards and backwards on the external surface of the body of the mandible from the mental foramen along the anterior border of the Ramus.
• Buccal Shelf of Bone: Bounded medially by the residual ridge and laterally by the external oblique ridge. It is a primary stress-bearing area.
• Mental Foramen: Located on the external surface of the body of the mandible between the roots of the premolars. It transmits the mental nerve and vessels that supply the lower lip and chin.
• Mylohyoid Ridge (Internal Oblique Ridge): Extends downward and forward from the 3rd molar area on the inner surface of the body of the mandible. It is the attachment for the Mylohyoid muscle.
• Torus Mandibularis: A bony projection on the lingual side of the mandible.
• Genial Tubercles: Located on the inner surface of the mandible in the symphysis region. In extreme bone resorption, they may be located on the crest of the ridge needing relief.
• Retromolar Pad: A pear-shaped area of mucous membrane at the posterior end of the lower ridge, anterior to the pterygo-mandibular raphe. It contains mucous glands, the temporalis tendon, and fibers of the buccinator and superior constrictor muscles. The plane of occlusion is generally located at the level of the middle to upper-third of this pad.
• Tongue: Located in the floor of the mouth. It is important in denture construction because of its mobility and involvement with deglutition (swallowing) and speech.

Limiting Structures of the Lower Denture

• Frena: Folds of mucous membrane that attach the lips and cheeks to the gingivae. They can affect denture stability.
• Buccal Frenum: A fold of mucous membrane in the premolar area. Movement of the lip and the check move the frenum. A notch is made in the lower denture to accommodate the frenum.
• Buccal Vestibule: The denture in this area is related to the buccinator muscle.
• Masseter Muscle-Influencing Area: Related to the distobuccal corner of the lower denture. The buccal flange must converge medially to avoid displacement of the denture upon contraction of this muscle.
• Distolingual Area: The denture in this area is related to the posterior border of the tongue.
• Lingual Pouch: Posteriorly: The palatoglossus muscle. Anteriorly: The Mylohyoid muscle. Medially: The tongue. Laterally: The medial aspect of the mandible and the most anterior border of the medial pterygoid muscle.
• Sublingual Gland Area: With excessive resorption of the mandible, the sublingual gland may bulge superiorly above the body of the mandible.

Test your knowledge on the anatomy of the mandible, including key structures such as the mental foramen, mylohyoid ridge, and buccal shelf of bone. This quiz will help reinforce your understanding of how these features contribute to dental health and prosthetic stability.