Final answer:
The mental protuberance is the process of the mandible that forms the chin, which is a forward projection from the inferior margin of the anterior mandible and contributes to the shape of the human chin.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of the mandible that forms the chin is known as the mental protuberance. This is the forward projection from the inferior margin of the anterior mandible. The mental protuberance gives shape to the human chin, which is unique due to the prominence it provides to the facial profile. At birth, the mandible is underdeveloped but soon expands as teeth begin to erupt, contributing to facial growth. Eventually, the two halves of the mandible fuse to form a single U-shaped bone, with the mental protuberance forming the lower central part of the mandible.