Final answer:
Elevation of the mandible is the upward movement of the jaw, contrasting with depression, which opens the mouth. Lateral and medial excursions are side-to-side jaw movements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The movement of the jaw superiorly is referred to as elevation. Elevation of the mandible is the upward movement of the lower jaw. This is opposed to depression, which is a downward movement resulting in the opening of the mouth. Additionally, lateral and medial excursion refers to the side-to-side movement of the mandible. Lateral excursion moves the mandible away from the midline, toward either the right or left side, while medial excursion brings it back to the midline.