mandibule

Mandibule is a term used in several languages to denote the jaw or jawbone. In English, the usual term is mandible; mandibule is found in French, Romanian, and some other languages, where it can refer to the lower jawbone in vertebrates as well as the paired mouthparts of many invertebrates.

In vertebrates, the mandibule (mandible) is a single U-shaped bone forming the lower jaw. It supports lower teeth and articulates with the skull at the temporomandibular joints, enabling opening, closing, and movements for chewing. Movement is produced by muscles of mastication (masseter, temporalis, medial and lateral pterygoids) supplied by the mandibular division of the trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V3).

In arthropods and other invertebrates, mandibules/mandibles are typically paired appendages forming the main biting and cutting structures of the mouth. They are heavily sclerotized in many species and can be adapted for crushing, tearing, or piercing. In crustaceans, mandibles are part of the gnathal segments and often work with other mouthparts such as maxillipeds and maxillae. In insects, mandibles are among the primary mouthparts and can vary widely in form and function across taxa.

Development and evolution: In vertebrates, the mandible arises from the first pharyngeal arch during embryonic development and represents a major evolutionary advance among gnathostomes. In arthropods, mandibles are derived from the first pair of gnathobases and have diversified with the segmented head.

In medical contexts, disorders affecting the mandible or temporomandibular joint can cause pain, limited movement, and bite problems. Paleontologists study fossil mandibles to infer the diet and evolution of early jawed animals.