A mental spine is a small projection of bone on the posterior aspect of the mandible (jaw bone) in the midline. There are usually 4 mental spines: 2 superior and 2 inferior. Collectively they are also known as the genial tubercle, genial apophysis and the Latin name spinae mentalis. The inferior mental spines are the points of origin of the geniohyoid muscle

Geniohyoid muscle

The Geniohyoid muscle is a narrow muscle situated superior to the medial border of the mylohyoid muscle. It is named for its passage from the chin to the hyoid bone.-Origin and insertion:...

, one of the suprahyoid muscles

Suprahyoid muscles

The term suprahyoid refers to the region above the hyoid bone in the neck. The suprahyoid muscles include digastric, stylohyoid, geniohyoid, and mylohyoid...

 and the superior mental spines are the origin of the genioglossus muscle

Genioglossus

The genioglossus is a muscle of the human body which runs from the chin to the tongue. The genioglossus is the major muscle responsible for protruding the tongue.-Structure:...

, one of the muscles of the tongue

Tongue

The tongue is a muscular hydrostat on the floors of the mouths of most vertebrates which manipulates food for mastication. It is the primary organ of taste , as much of the upper surface of the tongue is covered in papillae and taste buds. It is sensitive and kept moist by saliva, and is richly...

.