Final answer:
The ramus of the mandible is the vertical portion of the lower jawbone, with an obtuse angle in females and an acute one in males. It features two upward projections, the coronoid and condylar processes, which have functions in muscle attachment and articulation with the temporal bone.
Step-by-step explanation:
Differences in the Ramus of the Mandible between Males and Females
The ramus of the mandible is the vertical portion of the mandible, or the lower jawbone. In general, anatomic differences between male and female skeletons can be observed, including the mandible. The ramus of the mandible forms the vertical portion of the mandible, and at the point where it meets the body of the mandible is the angle of the mandible. This angle tends to be more obtuse in females and more acute in males, contributing to the overall shape differences of the mandible between sexes. Moreover, the male mandible is usually heavier and larger compared to the female mandible, which is lighter and more rounded.
The ramus has two important upward projections: the coronoid process at the anterior margin and the condylar process at the posterior margin. One of the biting muscles attaches to the coronoid process. The condylar process has an oval-shaped condyle that articulates with the temporal bone, forming the temporomandibular joint that enables mouth movement.