National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) Practice Exam

The statement that the mandible is the only movable bone of the skull is accurate. The mandible, commonly referred to as the lower jaw, is unique among the bones of the skull because it can move in relation to other bones. Specifically, it articulates with the temporal bone at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which allows for actions such as chewing and speaking. This mobility distinguishes it from other cranial bones, which are generally fixed in place and connected by immovable sutures.

In contrast, the other statements do not correctly describe the mandible. For instance, it does not articulate with the occipital bone, which is located at the back of the skull. The mandible is also not a bone of the arm; rather, it is part of the facial skeleton. Although the mandible has a right and left side, referring to it as consisting of two symmetrical halves can be misleading because it typically presents with differences due to individual anatomical variation and developmental factors. Thus, focusing solely on the mobility aspect reveals why the mandible holds a distinct position among skull bones.