To study mandibular motions with respect to time (kinematics) and the forces causing and resulting from these motions (kinetics), four subjects generated rapid depression and elevation of the mandible (displacement of 0·224 m; peak velocity of 0·237 m s−1 during depression and 0·269 m s−1 during elevation). The motion of depression (duration of 0·195 s; kinetic energy of 2·072×10−3 J) could be divided into a phase of acceleration (2·742 m s−2; +0·28 gn) and a phase of deceleration (2·264 m s−2; −0·23 gn), and the terminal excess kinetic energy of depression was absorbed and dissipated by, primarily, the temporomandibular joint. Similarly, the ensuing motion of elevation (duration of 0·182 s; kinetic energy of 2·948×10−3 J) could be divided into a phase of acceleration (3·498 m s−2; +0·36 gn) and a phase of deceleration (2·931 m s−2; −0·30 gn), and the terminal excess kinetic energy of elevation was absorbed and dissipated by, primarily, the dentitions and, secondarily, by the temporomandibular joint. Rapid depression of the mandible appeared to be under the central control of a preprogrammed motor command, and ensuing rapid elevation of the mandible appeared to be under the peripheral control of a segmental and/or transcortical reflex. During rapid depression and elevation of the mandible, the anterior suprahyoid, anterior temporalis, and sternocleidomastoid muscles were myoelectrically active 56%, 73%, and 71% of the time, respectively, and myomechanically active 42%, 59%, and 57% of the time, respectively. Over a follow‐up period of 12 months, the studied mandibular motions did not cause injury to the dentitions and temporomandibular joint.