page_title: Mental spine
hierarchical_section_title: Mental spine
caption_attribution_description: Mandible. Inner surface. Side view.
context_page_description: A mental spine is a small projection of bone on the posterior aspect of the mandible in the midline. The adjective mental in this instance is used in its "chin-related" sense rather than its more common "mind-related" sense. There are usually four mental spines: two superior and two inferior. Collectively they are also known as the genial tubercle, genial apophysis and the Latin name spinae mentalis. The inferior mental spines are the points of origin of the geniohyoid muscle, one of the suprahyoid muscles and the superior mental spines are the origin of the genioglossus muscle, one of the muscles of the tongue.
context_section_description: A mental spine is a small projection of bone on the posterior aspect of the mandible (lower jaw bone) in the midline. The adjective mental in this instance is used in its "chin-related" sense (from Latin mentum) rather than its more common "mind-related" sense (from Latin mens). There are usually four mental spines: two superior and two inferior. Collectively they are also known as the genial tubercle, genial apophysis and the Latin name spinae mentalis. The inferior mental spines are the points of origin of the geniohyoid muscle, one of the suprahyoid muscles and the superior mental spines are the origin of the genioglossus muscle, one of the muscles of the tongue.
caption: A medial view of the mandible showing the attachments of geniohyoid and genioglossus.
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