The symphysis of the external surface of the mandible divides below and encloses a triangular eminence, the mental protuberance, the base of which is depressed in the center but raised on either side to form the mental tubercle. The size and shape of the bones making up this structure are responsible for the size and shape of a person's chin. Synonyms of mental protuberance include mental process and protuberantia mentalis. Mental in this sense derives from Latin mentum (chin), not mens (mind), source of the more common meaning of mental.

Mental protuberance
Mandible. Outer surface. Side view. (Mental protuberance labeled at bottom left.)
Side view of the skull. (Mental protuberance visible but not labeled.)
Details
Identifiers
Latinprotuberantia mentalis
TA98A02.1.15.005
TA2840
FMA59430
Anatomical terminology

References

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  • "Anatomy diagram: 34256.000-2". Roche Lexicon - illustrated navigator. Elsevier. Archived from the original on 2013-06-11.