HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

Which part of the mandible articulates with the mandibular fossa?

1. Mandibular notch

2. Mandibular process

3. Mandibular condyle

4. Mandibular ramus

The correct answer is: Mandibular condyle

The mandibular condyle is the correct answer because it is the rounded end of the mandible that fits into the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone. This articulation forms the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is critical for the movement of the jaw during activities such as chewing and speaking. The condyle's shape allows for the necessary range of motion as it articulates with the socket-like fossa, enabling both sliding and hinge movements of the jaw. The other options do not serve this specific articulating function. The mandibular notch is a depression located between the coronoid process and the condyle; it does not participate in articulating with the fossa. The mandibular process refers generally to the processes along the jawbone but does not specifically indicate the articulating part. The mandibular ramus is the vertical structure of the mandible that supports the condyle and coronoid process, but it does not directly articulate with the fossa. Therefore, understanding the role of the mandibular condyle in the TMJ is essential for appreciating the anatomy and function of the mandible.