Mandibles

Mandibles are the paired jaws of some insects and other arthropods. They are sometimes referred to as simply 'jaws'. They operate in a sideways fashion and are used for gripping, biting and cutting.

The head of a social wasp showing the mandibles.
Photograph by Richard Bartz licensed under Creative Commons.

Other names for (or types of) Mandibles include:

• Jaws

Related terms

• Arthropod
• Clypeus
• Head
• Labium
• Labrum
• Maxilla
• Subesophageal ganglion

Related groups of terms

• Invertebrate body structure

Related pages on this web site

• Insect mouthparts

See other words beginning with M