Head of mandible

The head of mandible is located in the dorsal part of the ramus of mandible, caudal to the coronoid process. It is supported by the neck of mandible and articulates with the squamous part of the temporal bone at the temporomandibular joint.

The shape of the head of mandible varies enormously from species to species:

• In equines, the head of mandible is highly developed and transversely elongated.

• In cattle, it is less developed than in equids, flattened dorsoventrally and slightly concave.

• In pigs, the head of mandible is convex in all directions. It is wider rostrally and tapers caudally.

• In carnivores, the head of mandible, convex in the rostrocaudal direction, is poorly developed in relation to the coronoid process.