Fossa mandibularis, a term used in anatomy, refers to a depression located in the lower jaw. The spelling of this word can be explained using International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription, where /f/ represents the voiceless labiodental fricative sound, /ɒ/ represents the open back rounded vowel, /s/ represents the voiceless alveolar fricative sound, /ə/ represents the schwa sound, /m/ represents the bilabial nasal sound, /æ/ represents the near-open front unrounded vowel, and /dʒ/ represents the voiced postalveolar affricate sound. Therefore, the correct spelling of this word is "fossa mandibularis".
Fossa mandibularis is a term used in anatomy to describe a specific anatomical structure in the human body. It refers to a depression or concavity on the inner surface of the mandible, or lower jaw bone. The term "fossa" is derived from the Latin word for "ditch or trench," while "mandibularis" relates to the mandible.
Located on the inner surface of the mandible, the fossa mandibularis is situated near the region where the body of the mandible joins the ramus of the mandible. This structure serves as an attachment site for certain muscles, particularly the inferior head of the lateral pterygoid muscle. It is also involved in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which is responsible for jaw movement and function.
The fossa mandibularis can vary in size and depth among individuals, and its precise features can have implications for various dental procedures and interventions. For instance, its anatomy may affect the placement of dental implants or the administration of nerve blocks to minimize discomfort during oral surgeries.
Understanding the anatomical location and function of the fossa mandibularis is significant in dental and maxillofacial surgery, as well as in other medical disciplines that involve the study and treatment of the structures related to the oral cavity and jaw.
Mandibular fossa, glenoid fossa or cavity, a deep hollow in the squamous portion of the temporal bone at the root of the zygoma, in which rests the condyle of the inferior maxilla, forming the temporomaxillary or temporomandibular joint.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "fossa mandibularis" is derived from Latin. "Fossa" translates to "pit" or "depression", while "mandibularis" refers to "mandible", which is the lower jawbone. Thus, "fossa mandibularis" refers to the pit or depression on the mandible.