maxilla

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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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