Maxilla Totally Explained

Everything about Maxilla totally explained

ť This article is about the mammal maxilla. For arthropod maxillae, see Mouthparts; for insect maxillae in particular, see Insect mouthparts.

The maxilla (plural: maxillae) is a fusion of two bones along the palatal fissure that form the upper jaw. This is similar to the mandible, which is also a fusion of two halves at the mental symphysis.

Function

The alveolar process of the maxilla holds the upper teeth, and is referred to as the maxillary arch. The maxilla attaches laterally to the zygomatic bones (cheek bones).
The maxilla assists in forming the boundaries of three cavities:

the roof of the mouth
the floor and lateral wall of the nasal antrum
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 half of the fused maxilla consists of:

The body of the maxilla

Four processes

Infraorbital foramen

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

Additional images

Image:Orbital_bones.png|The seven bones which articulate to form the orbit. Image:Illu facial bones.jpg|Facial bones. Image:Gray157.png|Left maxilla. Outer surface. Image:Gray158.png|Left maxilla. Nasal surface. Image:Gray159.png|Left maxillary sinus opened from the exterior. Image:Gray160.png|The bony palate and alveolar arch. Image:Gray164.png|Sphenoid bone visible center right. Image:Gray167.png|Articulation of left palatine bone with maxilla. Image:Gray995.png|Side view of the teeth and jaws. Further Information

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