ABSTRACT
Rabbits are anisognathous, meaning that the distance between the left and right upper cheek tooth arcades is greater than that of the lower cheek teeth. The temporomandibular articulation is dorsal to the longitudinal occlusal plane (unlike guinea pigs in which the two are in the same plane). The mobile lips and rostral tongue prehend the vegetation, which is cropped by the vertical, scissor-like action of the incisors. However, the gnawing function of these teeth is performed by a rostrocaudal movement of the mandible. The food material is then moved caudally by the tongue and ground by the lateral movement of the mandibular cheek teeth. A consequence of the anisognathism is that mastication takes place on alternate sides, but in equal measure, and utilizing the entire width of the occlusal surface.
