| Mandibular second molar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Identifiers | |
| FMA | 290277 |
| Anatomical terminology | |
Themandibular second molar is thetooth located distally (away from the midline of theface) from both themandibular first molars of themouth but mesial (toward the midline of the face) from bothmandibular third molars. This is true only inpermanent teeth. The function of thismolar is similar to that of all molars in regard to grinding being the principal action duringmastication, commonly known as chewing. Though there is more variation between individuals than that of the first mandibular molar, there are usually fourcusps on mandibular second molars: two on the buccal (side nearest the cheek) and two lingual (side nearest thetongue). There are great differences between thedeciduous (baby) mandibular molars and those of the permanent mandibular molars, even though their function is similar. The permanent mandibular molars are not considered to have any teeth that precede them. Despite being named molars, the deciduous molars are followed by permanent premolars.
In theuniversal system of notation, the deciduous mandibular second molars are designated by a letter written in uppercase. The right deciduous mandibular second molar is known as "T", and the left one is known as "K". The international notation has a different system of notation. Thus, the right deciduous mandibular second molar is known as "85", and the left one is known as "75".
In the universal system of notation, the permanent mandibular second molars are designated by a number. The right permanent mandibular second molar is known as "31", and the left one is known as "18". In thePalmer notation, a number is used in conjunction with a symbol designating in which quadrant the tooth is found. For this tooth, the left and right second molars would have the same number, "7", but the right one would have the symbol, "┐", underneath it, while the left one would have, "┌". The international notation has a different numbering system from the previous two, and the right permanent mandibular second molar is known as "47", and the left one is known as "37".
An eighth cusp was found in a primary second lower molar in an Argentinean child.