maxilla

vertebrate anatomy

Also known as: upper jaw

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Last updated

June 17, 2026

Quick Summary

The maxillae are the bones that form the upper jaws in vertebrates. They constitute the majority of the facial skeleton and extend beyond just supporting the upper teeth. The maxillae also form the middle and lower parts of the eye sockets and contribute to the nasal opening. Each maxilla features an infraorbital foramen, which is an opening for a nerve branch, located below the eye socket. The lower part of the maxilla contains the alveolar margin, where the upper teeth are rooted, and a lateral projection that connects with the cheekbone.1

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jaw
The upper jaw is firmly attached to the nasal bones at the bridge of the nose; to the frontal, lacrimal, ethmoid, and zygomatic bones within the eye socket; to the palatine and sphenoid bones in the roof of the mouth; and at the side, by an…
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The upper jaw is firmly attached to the nasal bones at the bridge of the nose; to the frontal, lacrimal, ethmoid, and zygomatic bones within the eye socket; to the palatine and sphenoid bones in the roof of the mouth; and at the side, by an…
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skull
The upper jaw, but not the lower, is part of the skull. The human cranium, the part that contains the brain, is globular and relatively large in comparison with the face. In most other animals the facial portion of the skull, including the upper teeth and…
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The upper jaw, but not the lower, is part of the skull. The human cranium, the part that contains the brain, is globular and relatively large in comparison with the face. In most other animals the facial portion of the skull, including the upper teeth and…
Read More