60 



THE BONES OF THE HEAD. 



of the external pterygoid muscle. The condyle is a transversely elongated, convex 

 articular process, the major axis of which is directed obliquely, so that if prolonged 

 it would meet with that of its fellow near the anterior margin of the foramen 



RAMUS 



Fig. 62. RIGHT HALF OF THE INFERIOR MAXILLARY BONE, INNER VIEW. (Drawn by D. Gunn.) 



magnum. The coronoid process is continued upwards, with a slight inclination 

 outwards, from the fore part of the ramus ; it is beak-shaped, and compressed 

 from side to side ; by its sharp margins and somewhat roughened inner surface 

 it gives insertion to the temporal muscle. 



The anterior border of the ramus is sharp and 

 smooth, extending from the coronoid process to the 

 posterior end of the external oblique line. To the 

 inner side of this border is a grooved surface, which 

 is bounded posteriorly by a ridge continued up from 

 the internal oblique line to the mesial aspect of the 

 coronoid process, and into which a part of the temporal 

 muscle is inserted. At the lower end of the groove, and 

 extending a short distance on the outer side of the 

 alveolar process, there is sometimes to be seen a slight 

 roughness marking the origin of the lower part of the 

 buccinator muscle. 



Fig. 63. TRANSVERSE SECTION OF 



THE LOWER JAW, PASSING 

 THROUGH THE SOCKET OF THE 

 LAST MOLAR TOOTH. (Gr. D. T.) 



The lower jaw consists of a very thick shell of dense 

 compact bone, enclosing cancellous tissue with slender tra- 

 bgculas. The dental canal lies close to the inner compact 

 layer, and nearer to the lower than the upper border of the 

 body : it has a thin wall of compact tissue, which becomes 



cribriform in the fore part of its extent. From the main passage small channels pass 

 upwards to the sockets of the hinder teeth ; and beyond the mental foramen a prolongation 

 of the canal, with a less distinct wall, extends forwards, transmitting the nerves and vessels 

 to the canine and incisor teeth. 



