mandible
mandible
Noun
pl: mandibles
This term is primarily used in anatomical and biological contexts to describe the structural bone or appendage of the jaw. In humans and other vertebrates, it refers specifically to the lower jaw, distinguishing it from the maxilla, which is the upper jaw.
In entomology, the term describes the specialized mouthparts of arthropods. These structures are often adapted for specific ecological roles, such as crushing, slicing, or carrying, and are distinct from the internal skeletal structures found in mammals.
Meanings
Examples
Ants have a mandible.
We studied the mandible of a prehistoric mammal.
History
The forensic expert analyzed the mandible for identification.
Detective
Certain arthropods possess a highly specialized mandible for predation.
Trivia