maxilla

max·il·la  (mk-sl)

n. pl. max·il·lae (mk-sl) or max·il·las

1. Anatomy Either of a pair of bones of the human skull fusing in the midline and forming the upper jaw.

2. A homologous bone of the skull in other vertebrates.

3. Either of two laterally moving appendages situated behind the mandibles in insects and most other arthropods.

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[Latin, jawbone.]

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maxilla

Noun

pl -lae

1. the upper jawbone of a vertebrate

2. any part of the mouth in insects and other arthropods [Latin: jaw]

maxillary adj

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maxilla  (mk-sl)

Plural maxillae (mk-sl) or maxillas

The upper part of the jaw in vertebrate animals.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

maxilla - the jaw in vertebrates that is fused to the cranium maxillary, upper jaw, upper jawbone hard palate - the bony part of the roof of the mouth intermaxillary suture, sutura intermaxillaris - the suture between the two maxillae of the upper jawbone jaw - the part of the skull of a vertebrate that frames the mouth and holds the teeth