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Updated: Aug 25, 2025

Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
Published on: August 22, 2022
Anatomy of the Mandible, Temporomandibular Joint, and Dentition
1Arthur A Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific, Orthodontic Department, 155 5th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103-2919, USA; Orofacial Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of California, 707 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; School of Dentistry, University of California, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Surgical & Radiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 1 Garrod Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Abstract:
Oral behavior encompasses active movement of the oral structures. The range and quality of oral behavior is essential for establishing and maintaining health and well-being. Key oral behaviors include breathing, chewing, swallowing, and speech. Key hard tissue elements involved in oral behavior include the mandible, temporomandibular joints, and dentition. This article will discuss the anatomy and interaction of the hard tissue elements and selected soft tissue elements associated with oral behavior.
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