This is the triangular shaped projection forming the chin. Its apex, directed superiorly, is a slight ridge inferior to the midpoint of the two incisor teeth. Its base and inferior angles are formed by the two mental tubercles.

Mental comes from the Latin mentum meaning chin, which in turn probably derived from Latin minae meaning a projecting point. The term then means, the projection of the mandible. Protuberance arises from the Latin tuber meaning a bump and pro denoting in front of something.

Protuberantia mentalis

Protubérance mentonnière