Main Entry: max·il·la

Pronunciation: \mak-ˈsi-lə\

Function: noun

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

Etymology: Latin, diminutive of mala jaw

Date: 1676

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