Location and Function of Mandibular Lateral Incisor - Mandibular lateral incisor is located distally from both mandibular central incisors and mesially from both mandibular canines. - Function of mandibular lateral incisor is for shearing or cutting food during mastication. - Mandibular lateral incisors have no cusps on the teeth. - The surface area of the tooth used in eating is called an incisal ridge or incisal edge. - Incisors are commonly known as chewing teeth.

Differences between Deciduous and Permanent Mandibular Lateral Incisors - There are some minor differences between deciduous (baby) mandibular lateral incisor and permanent mandibular lateral incisor. - In the universal system of notation, deciduous mandibular lateral incisors are designated by a letter written in uppercase. - The right deciduous mandibular lateral incisor is known as Q, and the left one is known as N. - In the international notation, the right deciduous mandibular lateral incisor is known as 82, and the left one is known as 72. - Permanent mandibular lateral incisors are designated by a number in the universal system of notation.

Notation for Permanent Mandibular Lateral Incisors - In the universal system of notation, the right permanent mandibular lateral incisor is known as 26, and the left one is known as 23. - Palmer notation uses a number in conjunction with a symbol designating the quadrant where the tooth is found. - In Palmer notation, the left and right lateral incisors would have the same number, 2. - The right one would have the symbol, ┐, over it, while the left one would have, ┌. - The international notation has a different numbering system, and the right permanent mandibular lateral incisor is known as 42, and the left one is known as 32.

Anatomical Terminology - The mandibular lateral incisor is identified by the FMA code 290197. - Anatomical terminology is used to describe the location and characteristics of the tooth. - The mandibular lateral incisor is marked in red in diagrams of both permanent and primary teeth. - The term 'distally' refers to being away from the midline of the face. - The term 'mesially' refers to being toward the midline of the face.

References - Ash, Major M. and Stanley J. Nelson, 2003. Wheelers Dental Anatomy, Physiology, and Occlusion. 8th edition.