maxilla

max·il·la

noun \mak-ˈsi-lə\

plural max·il·lae \-ˈsi-(ˌ)lē, -ˌlī\ or maxillas

Definition of MAXILLA

1

a : jaw 1a

b (1) : an upper jaw especially of humans and other mammals in which the bony elements are closely fused (2) : either of the two bones that lie with one on each side of the upper jaw lateral to the premaxilla and that in higher vertebrates bear most of the teeth

2

: one of the first or second pair of mouthparts posterior to the mandibles in many arthropods (as insects or crustaceans)

— max·il·lary \ˈmak-sə-ˌler-ē, chiefly British mak-ˈsi-lə-rē\ adjective or noun

Origin of MAXILLA

Latin, diminutive of mala jaw

First Known Use: 1676

max·il·la

noun \mak-ˈsil-ə\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural ; max·il·lae \-ˈsil-(ˌ)ē, -ˌī\ (audio pronunciation) (audio pronunciation)or ; maxillas

Medical Definition of MAXILLA

1

: jaw 1a

2

a : an upper jaw especially of humans or other mammals in which the bony elements are closely fused b : either of two membrane bone elements of the upper jaw that lie lateral to the premaxillae and that in higher vertebrates including humans bear most of the teeth

3

: one of the first or second pair of mouthparts posterior to the mandibles in insects, myriopods, crustaceans and closely related arthropods

Illustration of MAXILLA