HOSA Dental Terminology Practice

Which part of the mandible is described as the horizontal portion, excluding the alveolar process?

1. Body of the Mandible

2. Anterior Pillar

3. Coronoid Process

4. Ramum

The correct answer is: Body of the Mandible

The body of the mandible is accurately described as the horizontal portion of the mandible, which is the main part that extends between the left and right sides. It forms the lower jaw and supports the teeth in the lower dental arch, providing structure and shape to the facial appearance. This segment is distinct from the other components of the mandible such as the coronoid process, which is a pointed projection for muscle attachment, serving as an area for the temporalis muscle to connect; the ramus, which is the vertical portion that connects the body to the skull; and the anterior pillar, which is not a commonly used term in dental anatomy for a specific area of the mandible. The alveolar process, which is the part that contains the sockets of the teeth, is specifically excluded from this description, emphasizing that the focus is solely on the horizontal structure of the body of the mandible. Thus, this understanding clarifies why the body of the mandible is the correct answer.