Mandible

Categories: Aesthetics, Anatomy, Lookism

[[File:Mandible-remodeling.jpg|right|frameless|396x396px]]
The '''mandible''' is a bone of the lower face which includes the entire lower jaw, lower dental arch and teeth. Parts of the mandible include the [[chin]], the base of the mandible and the [[ramus]]. A large, heavily developed mandible is an important feature of [[masculine]] faces. Heavily developed mandibles are broad and include projecting chins and long ramuses. Ramus length is affected by [[testosterone]] levels.<ref>Verdonck, A., Gaethofs, M., Carels, C., & de Zegher, F. (1999). [https://ejo.oxfordjournals.org/content/eortho/21/2/137.full.pdf Effect of low-dose testosterone treatment on craniofacial growth in boys with delayed puberty.] The European Journal of Orthodontics, 21(2), 137-143.</ref> 

People with [[maxillary retrusion]] tend to have weakly developed mandibles&mdash;narrow palates, obtuse gonial angles, short base of mandible, and receding chins, which creates a weak appearance to the face. 

A retruded or downward [[ramus]] will obstruct the airway. To compensate for the airway obstruction, the bottom of the ramus shifts forward. This will result in an increased [[gonial angle]], which is a detriment to aesthetics.

Ramus length is more affected by testosterone rather than maxillary retrusion. However, a retruded [[maxilla]] will make the ramus appear less vertical, making it appear shorter as a result. 

== See also ==
*[[:Category:Aesthetics|List of aesthetics]]
*[[Chin]]
*[[Jaw is law]]
==References==
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[[Category:Aesthetics]]
[[Category:Anatomy]]
[[Category:Lookism]]
{{Lookism}}