Body of mandible

The body of mandible is the rostral and horizontal part of the mandible. It joins with the opposite body of mandible to form the lower jaw. It joins the ramus of mandible at the angle of mandible.

The body of mandible accommodates the lower teeth. It has an incisive part (rostral) and a molar part (caudal). At its rostrolateral end is the mental foramen: this foramen is unique in equids and cattle, whereas there are two mental foramina in dogs and cats. Lateral mental foramina are numerous in pigs, which also have medial mental foramina.