Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 3 complete abstracts (736 words), 9 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Bony structure of the mouth that holds the teeth. It consists of the mandible and the maxilla.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Jaws.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Facial Bones; Stomatognathic System
- Narrower topics
- Alveolar Process; Dental Arch; Mandible; Maxilla; Palate, Hard; Palate
- See also
- Dental Arch; Temporomandibular Joint
Related concepts
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 124,926 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Jaw” (counts retrieved 2026-10-31). 19,927 of them (16.0%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 50,870 records.
Reviews account for 7,085 records (5.7%) and meta-analyses for 807. Randomized controlled trials number 3,935 (3.1%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 50,870 |
| 2000-2009 | 22,865 |
| 2010-2019 | 31,264 |
| 2020 onward | 19,927 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 7,085 | 5.7% |
| Meta-analyses | 807 | 0.6% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 3,935 | 3.1% |
Method: PubMed query "Jaw"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-31.
Reading the evidence in anatomy and physiology
Anatomy describes how body structures are built and physiology describes how they normally work, so most findings here are descriptive or mechanistic rather than evidence about treatment. Much of what is known comes from dissection, imaging, tissue studies and experiments in animals, and measurements in healthy volunteers can differ from those in people with disease or at different ages. Normal ranges vary between individuals and populations. Check whether a result was measured in people or in another species, the age and health of the participants, and the method used.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glandular odontogenic cyst: a ten-case series and literature review with emphasis on radiological diagnostic challenges | 2025 | Review article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 3 | cc by PMID 41299572 · DOI · PMC12751144 |
| Clinical transfer accuracy of pressure-moulded versus 3D-printed drilling guides for orthodontic mini-implants in the anterior palate: a randomized prospective clinical study | 2026 | Randomized controlled trial Design not recorded in structured metadata | 2 | cc by PMID 42049831 · DOI · PMC13125631 |
| Mandibular form and function is more disparate in amniotes than in non-amniote tetrapods from the late Palaeozoic | 2025 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 2 | cc by PMID 41321945 · DOI · PMC12664332 |
Glandular odontogenic cyst: a ten-case series and literature review with emphasis on radiological diagnostic challenges [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- BackgroundGlandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is a rare developmental odontogenic lesion characterized by histological complexity and significant radiological overlap with other cystic or neoplastic jaw lesions.
- Closing excerpt
- ConclusionGOC can exhibit radiographic overlap with a wide range of odontogenic lesions, including OKC, RC, and AB, reflecting its imaging variability and preoperative diagnostic challenges.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (263 words)
BackgroundGlandular odontogenic cyst (GOC) is a rare developmental odontogenic lesion characterized by histological complexity and significant radiological overlap with other cystic or neoplastic jaw lesions. Its nonspecific imaging features often lead to misdiagnosis, delaying appropriate treatment and increasing the risk of recurrence. Despite its clinical relevance, radiographic analysis of GOC remains underreported in the literature.MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed ten cases of histopathologically confirmed GOC diagnosed between 2015 and 2024 at Kyungpook National University Dental Hospital. All patients underwent both panoramic radiography and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for preoperative imaging evaluation. Radiographic features were assessed and compared with final histopathological diagnoses. Additionally, a comprehensive literature review was performed using PubMed. A total of 74 previously reported cases were included based on the availability of both imaging and histological data. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed to summarize demographic data, radiographic patterns, and frequency of preoperative misdiagnoses.ResultsTen histopathologically confirmed GOC cases demonstrated male predominance (7:3), a mean age of 49.1 years, and frequent mandibular involvement (90%). Most lesions were unilocular with variably defined margins and were commonly misdiagnosed as odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) or radicular cyst (RC). One case showed recurrence after 55 months. In the literature, 74 reported GOC cases had a mean age of 44.4 years, with similar male predominance and mandibular predilection (75%). Radiographically, 51.7% were multilocular, 93.2% had well-defined margins, and 14.6% demonstrated recurrence. A literature review confirmed that OKC and ameloblastoma (AB) were the most frequently misdiagnosed entities.ConclusionGOC can exhibit radiographic overlap with a wide range of odontogenic lesions, including OKC, RC, and AB, reflecting its imaging variability and preoperative diagnostic challenges.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41299572 · DOI · PMC12751144
Clinical transfer accuracy of pressure-moulded versus 3D-printed drilling guides for orthodontic mini-implants in the anterior palate: a randomized prospective clinical study [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Precise placement of orthodontic mini-implants (OMIs) in the anterior palate, particularly in the median and paramedian regions, is essential for reliable skeletal anchorage.
- Closing excerpt
- Trial Registration: German Clinical Trials Register (File Number DRKS 00028967, registered on May 04, 2022).
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (280 words)
Precise placement of orthodontic mini-implants (OMIs) in the anterior palate, particularly in the median and paramedian regions, is essential for reliable skeletal anchorage. Digitally planned insertion guides may improve transfer accuracy, but clinical data comparing different fabrication workflows remain limited. This randomised clinical trial evaluated the transfer accuracy of pressure-moulded (PM) and three-dimensionally printed (3DP) insertion guides for palatal mini-implant placement in these regions. Thirty patients requiring palatal skeletal anchorage were randomly allocated (1:1) to receive either PM or 3DP insertion guides. Two OMIs were placed per patient, either in the median or paramedian region of the anterior palate. Planned and achieved implant positions were compared after insertion using three-dimensional superimposition. The primary outcome was three-dimensional angular deviation of the implant axis. Secondary outcomes included linear deviations at the implant shoulder and tip and angular deviations. Between-group comparisons were performed using independent-samples t-tests on patient-level averages. No intraoperative complications or missing data occurred. Overall, mean three-dimensional angular deviation was significantly lower for PM than for 3DP guides (3.61 ± 1.29° vs. 5.77 ± 2.45°, p = 0.006). Linear deviations were comparable between groups at the implant shoulder and higher at the implant tip, with no statistically significant differences (shoulder: PM 0.81 ± 0.27 mm vs. 3DP 0.84 ± 0.34 mm, p = 0.778; tip: PM 1.25 ± 0.40 mm vs. 3DP 1.49 ± 0.58 mm, p = 0.199). Both guide types achieved high clinical transfer accuracy; however, PM guides showed lower angular deviations, particularly for paramedian placement. Overall, differences between fabrication workflows were statistically significant but mainly affected angular precision and remained within clinically acceptable ranges.Trial Registration: German Clinical Trials Register (File Number DRKS 00028967, registered on May 04, 2022).
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42049831 · DOI · PMC13125631
Mandibular form and function is more disparate in amniotes than in non-amniote tetrapods from the late Palaeozoic [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Terrestrial tetrapods originated during the Middle Devonian, and the group rapidly diversified throughout the subsequent Carboniferous and Permian periods.
- Closing excerpt
- Functional and shape disparity of Palaeozoic tetrapod jaws follow a similar pattern that is explained by large-scale faunal turnovers and ecosystem structures.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (193 words)
Terrestrial tetrapods originated during the Middle Devonian, and the group rapidly diversified throughout the subsequent Carboniferous and Permian periods. Feeding in air rather than water is expected to require changes to tetrapod mandibular form and function. Previous biomechanical studies on jaw evolution, however, found that the increase in functional disparity lagged behind terrestrialisation by approximately 70 Myr, coinciding with the origin of amniotes and herbivory. We expand on a previous dataset composed primarily of non-amniote tetrapods to identify the drivers of this diversification, including representatives of all major amniote clades from the Permo-Carboniferous. First, we measured nine biomechanical traits from 111 tetrapod jaws in medial view. Second, we performed an Elliptical Fourier Analysis on 198 jaws in lateral view and 73 jaws in occlusal view. The first peak in jaw disparity, during the Pennsylvanian, occurs in carnivorous non-amniote tetrapods. However, the jaws of amniotes, particularly those inferred as herbivorous, are consistently more disparate than non-amniote tetrapods from the early Permian, especially in terms of jaw depth, symphysial length and force transmission. Functional and shape disparity of Palaeozoic tetrapod jaws follow a similar pattern that is explained by large-scale faunal turnovers and ecosystem structures.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41321945 · DOI · PMC12664332
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Alveolar bone dimensional changes of post-extraction sockets in humans: a systematic review [4]
- Research article Systematic review of survival rates for implants placed in the grafted maxillary sinus [5]
- Research article Effectiveness of Lateral Bone Augmentation on the Alveolar Crest Dimension: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis [6]
- Research article A systematic review of studies comparing conventional complete denture and implant retained overdenture [7]
- Research article Meta-analysis of mandibular distraction osteogenesis: clinical applications and functional outcomes [8]
- Research article Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Hard Tissue Outcomes of Alveolar Ridge Preservation [9]
References
- Kwon YE, Choi SY, Kim MS, An CH, An SY. Glandular odontogenic cyst: a ten-case series and literature review with emphasis on radiological diagnostic challenges. . 2025. PMID 41299572 · DOI · PMC12751144
- Möhlhenrich SC, Ayad I, Linnerz F, Xi T, Vinayahalingam S, Bergé S, et al.. Clinical transfer accuracy of pressure-moulded versus 3D-printed drilling guides for orthodontic mini-implants in the anterior palate: a randomized prospective clinical study. . 2026. PMID 42049831 · DOI · PMC13125631
- Ponstein J, MacDougall MJ, Schaeffer J, Kammerer CF, Fröbisch J. Mandibular form and function is more disparate in amniotes than in non-amniote tetrapods from the late Palaeozoic. . 2025. PMID 41321945 · DOI · PMC12664332
- Van der Weijden F, Dell'Acqua F, Slot DE. Alveolar bone dimensional changes of post-extraction sockets in humans: a systematic review. J Clin Periodontol. 2009. PMID 19929956 · DOI
- Del Fabbro M, Testori T, Francetti L, Weinstein R. Systematic review of survival rates for implants placed in the grafted maxillary sinus. Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent. 2004. PMID 15626319
- Sanz-Sánchez I, Ortiz-Vigón A, Sanz-Martín I, Figuero E, Sanz M. Effectiveness of Lateral Bone Augmentation on the Alveolar Crest Dimension: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Dent Res. 2015. PMID 26215467 · DOI
- Kutkut A, Bertoli E, Frazer R, Pinto-Sinai G, Fuentealba Hidalgo R, Studts J. A systematic review of studies comparing conventional complete denture and implant retained overdenture. J Prosthodont Res. 2018. PMID 28666845 · DOI
- Ow ATC, Cheung LK. Meta-analysis of mandibular distraction osteogenesis: clinical applications and functional outcomes. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2008. PMID 18317087 · DOI
- Bassir SH, Alhareky M, Wangsrimongkol B, Jia Y, Karimbux N. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Hard Tissue Outcomes of Alveolar Ridge Preservation. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants. 2018. PMID 30231083 · DOI
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-31.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.