<P> The mandibular alveolar process can become resorbed when completely edentulous in the mandibular arch (occasionally noted also in partially edentulous cases). This resorption can occur to such an extent that the mental foramen is virtually on the superior border of the mandible, instead of opening on the anterior surface, changing its relative position . However, the more inferior body of the mandible is not affected and remains thick and rounded . With age and tooth loss, the alveolar process is absorbed so that the mandibular canal becomes nearer the superior border . Sometimes with excessive alveolar process absorption, the mandibular canal disappears entirely and leaves the inferior alveolar nerve without its bony protection, although it is still covered by soft tissue . </P> <P> When remains of humans are found, the mandible is one of the common findings, sometimes the only bone found . Skilled experts can estimate the age of the human upon death because the mandible changes over a person's life . </P> <P> In lobe - finned fishes and the early fossil tetrapods, the bone homologous to the mandible of mammals is merely the largest of several bones in the lower jaw . In such animals, it is referred to as the dentary bone, and forms the body of the outer surface of the jaw . It is bordered below by a number of splenial bones, while the angle of the jaw is formed by a lower angular bone and a suprangular bone just above it . The inner surface of the jaw is lined by a prearticular bone, while the articular bone forms the articulation with the skull proper . Finally a set of three narrow coronoid bones lie above the prearticular bone . As the name implies, the majority of the teeth are attached to the dentary, but there are commonly also teeth on the coronoid bones, and sometimes on the prearticular as well . </P> <P> This complex primitive pattern has, however, been simplified to various degrees in the great majority of vertebrates, as bones have either fused or vanished entirely . In teleosts, only the dentary, articular, and angular bones remain, while in living amphibians, the dentary is accompanied only by the prearticular, and, in salamanders, one of the coronoids . The lower jaw of reptiles has only a single coronoid and splenial, but retains all the other primitive bones except the prearticular and the periosteum . </P>

Where does the mandible articulate with the skull