kjevene

Kjevene is the definite plural form of the Norwegian noun kjeve, meaning the jaws. It refers to the paired bones that frame the mouth in vertebrates, most notably the human jaw region that includes the mandible (lower jaw) and the maxilla (upper jaw). In everyday language, kjevene is used when speaking about the bones themselves, their role in chewing, and dental alignment. In medical and dental contexts, the term appears in discussions of jaw mechanics, occlusion, jaw disorders, and related surgeries. In veterinary contexts, kjevene likewise denotes the jaws of animals and is used when comparing jaw structure across species.

Grammatical note: Kjeve is a common Norwegian noun, and its definite plural form is kjevene.

Etymology and cognates: Kjeve is cognate with Danish kæbe and Swedish käke, reflecting a shared North Germanic linguistic heritage. The term is used across Scandinavian languages to refer to the same anatomical structure, with regionally similar forms and spellings.

See also: mandible, maxilla, occlusion, dentistry, veterinary anatomy.