Which term describes the upper or lower jaw?

Which term describes the upper or lower jaw?

• A. Palate
• B. Mandible
• C. Maxilla
• D. Arch

Answer: (D)

The main idea is the dental arch—the curved arrangement of teeth in each jaw. Each jaw has its own arch: the upper jaw forms the maxillary arch, and the lower jaw forms the mandibular arch. This term describes the overall shape and alignment of the teeth within either jaw, which is what the question is asking for. The palate is the roof of the mouth, not the jaw itself. The mandible is the bone of the lower jaw, and the maxilla is the bone of the upper jaw. So arch is the best descriptor for describing the upper or lower jaw.

The main idea is the dental arch—the curved arrangement of teeth in each jaw. Each jaw has its own arch: the upper jaw forms the maxillary arch, and the lower jaw forms the mandibular arch. This term describes the overall shape and alignment of the teeth within either jaw, which is what the question is asking for. The palate is the roof of the mouth, not the jaw itself. The mandible is the bone of the lower jaw, and the maxilla is the bone of the upper jaw. So arch is the best descriptor for describing the upper or lower jaw.