Maxilla

SkeletalSkeletonHead

View in 3D

What it is

The upper jaw, formed by two maxillae fused in the midline: the alveolar arch holding the 16 upper teeth, the hard palate, the walls of the pear-shaped nasal aperture, the orbital floors and frontal processes beside the nose.

Function

Holds the upper teeth, separates the mouth from the nose and forms the central face; it contains the large maxillary sinuses.

Size

Dental arch ≈ 5.5 cm wide, 5 cm deep; alveolar process ≈ 2 cm tall

Clinical note

Failure of the maxillary processes to fuse in the embryo causes cleft lip and palate.