Anatomical Landmarks of the Mandible

Key Reference Points for Clinical Anatomy

The mandible's landmarks guide nerve blocks, osteotomy planning, fracture fixation, and forensic identification.

Midline & Body

• Symphysis menti — midline fusion (closes ~1 year).
• Mental protuberance — chin prominence.
• Mental foramen — mental nerve/vessels exit (apex 2nd premolar).
• Oblique line — continuation of anterior border of ramus; muscle attachment.

Ramus & Angle

• Angle of mandible (gonion) — posterior-inferior corner; masseter attachment.
• Coronoid process — anterior projection; temporalis insertion.
• Condylar process (head + neck) — TMJ articulation.
• Mandibular notch (sigmoid notch) — between coronoid and condyle.

Internal Surface

• Mandibular foramen — inferior alveolar nerve/vessels enter (center of ramus).
• Lingula — spine overlapping foramen; sphenomandibular ligament attaches.
• Mylohyoid line — diagonal ridge; mylohyoid muscle origin.
• Submandibular fossa — below mylohyoid line; submandibular gland.
• Sublingual fossa — above mylohyoid line; sublingual gland.
• Genial tubercles (superior/inferior) — genioglossus/geniohyoid attachment.
• Digastric fossa — near lower border; anterior digastric attachment.

Clinical Relevance

Inferior alveolar nerve block targets mandibular foramen; sagittal split osteotomy uses coronoid/condyle/angle; age estimation uses symphysis morphology.