Humans have two jaws.
Understanding the Human Jaw
The human jaw is composed of two distinct bones:
- Mandible: This is the lower jaw, a single bone that moves to facilitate chewing. It's connected to the skull by a joint.
- Maxilla: This forms the upper jaw, and unlike the mandible, it is fixed and doesn't move.
These two bones work together to allow for the biting, chewing, and processing of food. Evolutionary changes have resulted in a reduction in jaw size in humans compared to our ancestors, leading to issues like impacted wisdom teeth. This reduction in jaw size is well-documented. While the size of the jaw has changed, the fundamental structure of having two jaws remains constant. The strength of the human bite, while seemingly low compared to many animals, is surprisingly strong relative to our jaw size. Studies have indicated this. Diet has also played a significant role in shaping the human jawbone over time. Research supports this connection.
The jaw's function in food consumption is a key aspect of human biology, alongside the number and arrangement of teeth. Sources discussing teeth and their arrangement within the jaw are available. Ancient humans had significantly larger jaws and teeth adapted to a different diet, as detailed in multiple sources. See, for example and this article.
