Maxilla 242299 218607868 2008-06-11T11:48:08Z Sarindam7 5932891 /* Components */ +sinus :''This article is about the [[mammal]] maxilla. For [[arthropod]] maxillae, see [[Mouthparts]]; for [[insect]] maxillae in particular, see [[Insect mouthparts]].'' {{Infobox Bone | Name = {{PAGENAME}} | Latin = | GraySubject = 38 | GrayPage = 157 | Image = Gray189.png | Caption = Side view. Maxilla visible at bottom left, in green. | Image2 = Gray190.png | Caption2 = Front view. Maxilla visible at center, in yellow. | Precursor = 1st [[branchial arch]]<ref>{{EmbryologyUNC|hednk|023}}</ref> | Origins = | Insertions = | Articulations = | MeshName = Maxilla | MeshNumber = A02.835.232.781.324.502.645 | DorlandsPre = m_05 | DorlandsSuf = 12517279 | }} 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 bone]]s (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 (anatomy)|orbit]] The maxilla also enters into the formation of two [[fossae]]: the [[infratemporal]] and [[Pterygopalatine fossa|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 ** The [[Zygomatic process of maxilla|zygomatic process]] ** The [[frontal process]] ** The [[alveolar process]] ** The [[palatine process]] * [[Infraorbital foramen]] * The [[maxillary sinus]] == 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 bone|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== <gallery> 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. </gallery> == See also == *[[Bone#Terminology|Bone terminology]] *[[Terms for anatomical location]] *[[Ossification of maxilla]] *[[Hypostome]] *[[Maxillofacial surgery]] ==References== {{Reflist}} {{Refimprove|date=December 2007}} ==External links== * {{SUNYAnatomyLabs|22|os|19|01}} {{Gray's}} {{OrbitalBones}} {{Facial bones}} {{anatomy-stub}} [[Category:Dentistry]] [[Category:Skeletal system]] [[Category:Skull]] [[Category:Animal anatomy]] [[Category:Oral and maxillofacial surgery]] [[ar:فك علوي]] [[bs:Gornja vilica]] [[de:Maxilla]] [[es:Maxilar]] [[fr:Os maxillaire]] [[it:Osso mascellare]] [[ku:Jorkajû]] [[la:Maxilla]] [[lv:Augšžokļa kauls]] [[lt:Viršutinis žandikaulis]] [[nl:Maxilla (anatomie)]] [[ja:上顎骨]] [[pl:Szczęka]] [[pt:Maxilar]] [[sl:Zgornja čeljustnica]] [[sr:Горња вилица]] [[fi:Yläleuka]] [[sv:Överkäke]] [[tr:Os maksilla]] [[uk:Верхньощелепна кістка]] [[zh:上颌骨]]