Maxilla

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.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"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

Learn more about citation styles

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.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

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

Learn more about citation styles

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.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"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

Learn more about citation styles

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.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

"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

Learn more about citation styles

maxilla

maxilla jaw, jawbone. XVII. — L. maxilla, corr. to māla cheek, as axilla shoulder-blade to āla wing.
Hence maxillary XVII.

Show all research tools

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

  • MLA
  • Chicago
  • APA

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

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

Dentigerous cyst of the maxilla with impacted tooth displaced into orbital...
Magazine article from: Ear, Nose and Throat Journal; 3/1/2008
Role of maxilla 2 and its setae during feeding in the shrimp Palaemon...
Magazine article from: The Biological Bulletin; 4/1/2003
Clin Implant Dent Relat Res: Reconstruction of the severely resorbed maxilla...
Newspaper article from: Dental Implantology Update; 1/1/2006

Facts and information from other sites

Pictures from Google Image Search

Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture
Click to see an enlarged picture

See more pictures of Maxilla