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mandibular notch

mandibular notch

9.5
A small curved dip on the top edge of the lower jaw between two bony points
  • noun
  • /mænˈdɪbjʊlər nɒtʃ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : muesca mandibular
  • During the surgery, the dentist carefully avoided damaging the mandibular notch.

Examples

  • A fracture near the mandibular notch can impair jaw movement.

  • Can you identify the mandibular notch on the diagram?

  • The nerve passes through the mandibular notch before reaching the lower teeth.

  • The mandibular notch is crucial for jaw movement.

  • A fracture near the mandibular notch can impair jaw movement.

  • During the surgery, the dentist carefully avoided damaging the mandibular notch.

  • The nerve passes through the mandibular notch before reaching the lower teeth.

Synonyms

notch
vsmandibular notch
85 3.9

A small cut on a surface used to keep a count

is the same feature but specifically a curved depression in the lower jaw

Surface Forms

Morphology

mandibular + notch

The compound combines 'mandibular' (relating to the lower jaw) with 'notch' (a small indentation), so the meaning 'a small indentation on the lower jaw' is directly derivable from the constituents. Although anatomical, this modifier + noun composition is regular and cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows both words should understand it.

Etymology

Mandibular notch combines mandibular, meaning the 'lower jaw', and notch, meaning a small cut or dip. It is the small curved dip on the top edge of the lower jaw between two bony points where nerves and muscles pass, so doctors point to it when they talk about jaw movement or surgery.