The mandible is the medical term for the lower jaw which holds all the lower teeth in place. It is a “U-shaped” bone, with a joint on either end. These joints are located just in front of each ear.
When the jaw system is functioning properly, the lower jaw is able to freely hinge at the joints and close together with all the lower teeth contacting all the upper teeth very evenly. This creates a “solid bite”.
Also known as the inferior maxillary bone, like the maxilla (upper jaw), it is actually a fusion of two bones.