The jawbone, the only movable bone in the skull is the?

The jawbone, the only movable bone in the skull is the?

• A. Maxilla
• B. Zygomatic
• C. Temporal
• D. Mandible

Answer: (D)

The jawbone is the mandible, and it’s unique because it’s the only bone in the skull that can move. Most skull bones are fused together and stay in place, connected by sutures. The mandible, however, is connected to the temporal bones by the temporomandibular joints, allowing the mouth to open and close and to move side to side for chewing and speaking. The other options are fixed parts of the facial skeleton: the maxilla forms the upper jaw and is fused to the skull; the zygomatic bone is the cheekbone; the temporal bone is a side skull bone that helps form the jaw joint but doesn’t move independently.

The jawbone is the mandible, and it’s unique because it’s the only bone in the skull that can move. Most skull bones are fused together and stay in place, connected by sutures. The mandible, however, is connected to the temporal bones by the temporomandibular joints, allowing the mouth to open and close and to move side to side for chewing and speaking. The other options are fixed parts of the facial skeleton: the maxilla forms the upper jaw and is fused to the skull; the zygomatic bone is the cheekbone; the temporal bone is a side skull bone that helps form the jaw joint but doesn’t move independently.