What holds the mandible in place?

The mandible, or lower jaw, is held in place primarily by the muscles of mastication. These muscles are responsible for the movement of the jaw during chewing and speaking, and they control the mandibular position through their contraction. The intricate coordination of these muscles ensures that the mandible is stable and can articulate properly with the temporal bone of the skull at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

While other structures might contribute to the overall support and function of the jaw, such as cartilage in the joint that provides cushioning and smooth movement, and ligaments that offer additional stability, the muscles of mastication play a direct and critical role in maintaining the positioning and mobility of the mandible. Thus, the forces generated by these muscles are fundamental to the mandible's stability and function.