The maxillae are the largest bones of the face, except for the mandible, and form, by their union, the whole of the upper jaw.

Function

---

They hold the upper teeth, and connect on the left and right to the zygomatic bones (cheek bones).

Each assists in forming the boundaries of three cavities:

• the roof of the mouth
• the floor and lateral wall of the nose
• the floor of the orbit

The maxilla also enters into the formation of two fossae, the infratemporal and pterygopalatine, and two fissures, the inferior orbital and pterygomaxillary.

Components

---

Each bone consists of:

• Body of maxilla
• Four processes
  • Zygomatic process
  • Frontal process
  • Alveolar process
  • Palatine process

Articulations

---

The maxilla articulates with nine bones:

• two of the cranium: the frontal and ethmoid,
• seven of the face: the nasal, zygomatic, lacrimal, inferior nasal concha, palatine, vomer, and its fellow of the opposite side.

Sometimes it articulates with the orbital surface, and sometimes with the lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid.

See also

---

• Bone terminology
• Terms for anatomical location
• Ossification of maxilla

External links

---

Skeletal system | Skull | Animal anatomy

Maxilla | Os maxillaire | Osso mascellare | Viršutinis žandikaulis | Maxilla (Anatomie) | 上顎骨 | Szczęka | Maxilar