Final answer:
The anterior teeth guide the mandible in lateral and protrusive excursions. Lateral excursion moves the mandible side to side, while protrusive excursion pushes the lower jaw forward. The TMJ enables these movements.
Step-by-step explanation:
The anterior teeth are suitable to guide the mandible in lateral and protrusive excursions. Lateral excursion is the side-to-side movement of the mandible away from the midline, toward either the right or left side. Protrusive excursion refers to the forward movement of the mandible.
During lateral excursion, the mandible moves away from the midline, and then a medial excursion follows, returning the jaw to the midline. When it comes to protrusive excursion, the mandible is protracted, pushing the lower jaw forward.
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) allows the mandible to move in various directions, including the excursions mentioned.