Jaw
Jaw
Jaw (/dʒɔː/; from Old English ceowan, meaning "to chew") is a structure that forms the mouth and is used for biting and chewing food in many animals. The term may refer to either the mandible (lower jaw) or the maxilla (upper jaw).
Etymology
The word "jaw" comes from the Old English ceowan, which means "to chew". It is akin to the Old High German kouwe, which has the same meaning.
Anatomy
The jaw consists of two main parts. The upper jaw, also known as the maxilla, is fixed and does not move. The lower jaw, or mandible, is movable and contains the lower teeth. The mandible moves during mastication (chewing), speech, and respiration.
Related Terms
- Mandible: The lower jawbone in mammals and fishes.
- Maxilla: The upper jawbone in mammals.
- Temporomandibular joint: The joint connecting the mandible to the skull.
- Mastication: The process of chewing food.
- Orthognathic Surgery: Surgery to correct conditions of the jaw and face related to structure, growth, sleep apnea, TMJ disorders, malocclusion problems owing to skeletal disharmonies, or other orthodontic problems that cannot be easily treated with braces.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Jaw
- Wikipedia's article - Jaw
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