rhizoverbBeta
DictionarymaxillaUpper jawbone
noun

maxilla

mak-SIL-uh/mækˈsɪlə/

An upper jawbone in humans and other vertebrates.

The maxilla holds the upper teeth and borders the nasal opening.

A three-quarter-view human skull with the maxillary bones distinguished in muted terracotta against the remaining ivory bone, clearly showing the upper tooth sockets and their connection to the sides of the nasal opening and lower orbital margins.
Etymology
maxillaLatinupper jaw

Latin maxilla meant “upper jaw” and was a diminutive of mala, “jaw, cheekbone.” The anatomical term preserves that upper-jaw reference, distinguishing this bone from the mandible, or lower jaw.

In context

Zero To Finals1:59
the bone that connects the nose cheekbones and the upper teeth is the maxilla either side forming the cheek bones are the zygomatic bones
Anatomy of the Skeleton

More examples

  • Each maxilla supports teeth on one side of the upper jaw.
  • The scan reveals a fracture in her left maxilla.
  • The two maxillae meet in the middle of the face.

Forms

maxilla · maxillae · maxillas

maxillary adjective — Relating to the upper jawbone.

Similar words

jawbone
Can refer to either an upper or lower jawbone.
jaw
Can mean the whole upper or lower mouth framework.