premaxilla
noun
pre·max·il·la
ˌprē-mak-ˈsi-lə 
: either of a pair of bones of the upper jaw of vertebrates between and in front of the maxillae
Examples of premaxilla in a Sentence
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These more modern premaxilla, maxilla and dentary — collectively known as dermal marginal jaw bones — previously were seen only in bony fishes, or osteichthyans.
—
Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 25 Sep. 2013
Especially remarkable is the animal’s premaxilla – the bone formed a kind of thick, bony wing which would have helped support a large mass of soft tissues in life.
—Brian Switek, WIRED, 2 Nov. 2010
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Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 25 Sep. 2013
Especially remarkable is the animal’s premaxilla – the bone formed a kind of thick, bony wing which would have helped support a large mass of soft tissues in life.
—Brian Switek, WIRED, 2 Nov. 2010
Cite this Entry
“Premaxilla.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premaxilla. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
premaxilla
noun
pre·max·il·la
ˌprē-mak-ˈsil-ə
plural premaxillae
-ē
: either member of a pair of bones of the upper jaw of vertebrates situated between and in front of the maxillae that in humans form the median anterior part of the superior maxillary bones but in most other mammals are distinct and bear the incisor teeth and in birds coalesce to form the principal part of the upper mandible
called also incisive bone
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