Mandibular flexure in opening and closing movements.

I n considering the many complicated motions that the human mandible is capable of performing, one is inclined to overlook the almost imperceptible decrease in arch width that accompanies its movements. The mandible may be likened to an archer’s bow, and the muscles may be compared to its string. During opening and closing jaw movements, it is thought that the muscles of the floor of the mouth and the t’cvo lateral pterygoid muscles exert a contracting forcr upon the mandible, causing a flexure which results in arch width changes.” ”