Mandible
The mandible, also known as the lower jaw, is the largest and strongest bone in the human face. It forms the lower part of the jaw and supports the lower teeth.
Anatomically, it connects to the skull via the temporomandibular joint, allowing movements such as opening and closing the mouth, chewing, and speaking. The mandible consists of a horizontal body and two ascending branches that connect to the skull.
This is why splints are often worn in the upper jaw, as they interrupt the occlusion, allowing the mandible to move freely. As the movable part of the jaw, the mandible finds the centric relation, also known as the "comfort position," which helps relieve the masticatory muscles.