Skeleton of mouth

Looks like

The bones framing the mouth: the upper jaw (maxillae) with the hard palate, the palatine bones and the lower jaw (mandible), plus the teeth.

What it does

Holds the teeth, forms the roof of the mouth and moves the lower jaw for chewing and speech.

Keeping it well

Jaw fractures show as a sudden change in how the teeth meet. Jaw pain with clicking or locking is usually the jaw joint and is often self-limiting.

Related conditions

• Achondroplasia
• Acromegaly
• Brain abscess
• Fractures
• Fragility fracture
• Frailty & falls in older age
• Hyperparathyroidism
• Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bone disease)
• Osteomalacia & rickets
• Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
• Osteoporosis
• Paget's disease of bone
• Sarcoma
• Traumatic brain injury (moderate to severe)
• Vitamin B1, C and other deficiencies
• Vitamin D deficiency