What is the lower jaw bone and the only movable skull bone?

Prepare for the VTCT Level 2 Facial and Skincare Test. Revise with flashcards and multiple choice questions, accompanied by insightful explanations. Ace your assessment with confidence!

Multiple Choice

What is the lower jaw bone and the only movable skull bone?

The lower jaw bone is the mandible. It’s the only movable skull bone because it forms a joint with the temporal bone (the temporomandibular joint), which allows the mouth to open, close, and move side to side for chewing and speaking. The mandible houses the lower teeth and has the condyle that fits into the temporal bone’s mandibular fossa, enabling these movements. The other bones listed—upper jaw (maxilla), cheekbone (zygomatic), and the skull roof bone (parietal)—are fixed in the skull by sutures and do not move independently.

The lower jaw bone is the mandible. It’s the only movable skull bone because it forms a joint with the temporal bone (the temporomandibular joint), which allows the mouth to open, close, and move side to side for chewing and speaking. The mandible houses the lower teeth and has the condyle that fits into the temporal bone’s mandibular fossa, enabling these movements. The other bones listed—upper jaw (maxilla), cheekbone (zygomatic), and the skull roof bone (parietal)—are fixed in the skull by sutures and do not move independently.

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