Which two bones make up the upper and lower jaws?

The maxilla and mandible are the two primary bones that comprise the upper and lower jaws. The maxilla, or upper jawbone, holds the upper teeth and forms the upper part of the oral cavity, connecting with various other bones of the skull to also support the structures of the face. The mandible, or lower jawbone, is the largest and strongest bone of the face, functioning as the movable part of the jaw that allows for actions such as speaking and chewing. This articulates with the temporal bone at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), enabling movement necessary for these functions.

Understanding this anatomical relationship is crucial in fields like dentistry and mortuary science, as the structure of the jaw can influence facial appearance and is significant in procedures such as embalming where facial restoration or reconstruction may be needed. The other choices consist of bones that serve different functions and do not specifically relate to the upper and lower jaw structure.