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maxilla
maxilla (pl. maxillae)
1. One of a pair of mouthparts in insects, crustaceans, centipedes, and millipedes. They lie behind the mandibles and their lateral movements assist in feeding. Crustaceans have two pairs of maxillae but in insects the second pair are fused together forming the labium. 2. One of a pair of large tooth-bearing bones in the upper jaw of vertebrates. In mammals they carry all the upper teeth except the incisors. |
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Cite this article
"maxilla." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "maxilla." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-maxilla.html "maxilla." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-maxilla.html |
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maxilla
maxilla
1. In vertebrates, the posterior bone of the upper jaw, which bears the teeth other than the incisors. The term is sometimes applied to the whole of the upper jaw. 2. In some Arthropoda, one of a pair of mouth-parts used in eating. The maxillae are paired, limb-like structures located immediately behind the mandibles, which articulate with the head capsule. See also MAXILLARY PALP. |
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "maxilla." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "maxilla." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-maxilla.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "maxilla." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-maxilla.html |
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maxilla
max·il·la / makˈsilə/ • n. (pl. max·il·lae / makˈsilē; -ˈsilˌī/ ) Anat. & Zool. the jaw or jawbone, specifically the upper jaw in most vertebrates. In humans it also forms part of the nose and eye socket. ∎ (in many arthropods) each of a pair of mouthparts used in chewing. |
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Cite this article
"maxilla." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "maxilla." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-maxilla.html "maxilla." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-maxilla.html |
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maxilla
maxilla (maks-il-ă) n. (pl. maxillae)
1. (loosely) the upper jaw. 2. either of the pair of bones contributing to the upper jaw, the orbits, the nasal cavity, and the roof of the mouth (see palate). —maxillary (maks-il-er-i) adj. |
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Cite this article
"maxilla." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "maxilla." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-maxilla.html "maxilla." A Dictionary of Nursing. 2008. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O62-maxilla.html |
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maxilla
maxilla jaw, jawbone. XVII. — L. maxilla, corr. to māla cheek, as axilla shoulder-blade to āla wing.
Hence maxillary XVII. |
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T. F. HOAD. "maxilla." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "maxilla." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-maxilla.html T. F. HOAD. "maxilla." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-maxilla.html |
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