Maxilla Bone Anatomy

Last update: Oct 11th, 2022

The two maxilla or maxillary bones (maxillae, plural) form the upper jaw (L., mala, jaw).

Anterior, coronal, lateral and inferior view of the skull

Anterior, coronal, lateral and inferior view of the skull highlighting the maxilla bone.

Each maxilla has four processes (frontal, zygomatic, alveolar, and palatine) and helps form the orbit, roof of the mouth, and the lateral walls of the nasal cavity.

Body – central portion of maxilla. [Anterior view/ Lateral view]

Anterior view of view of the skull showing the body of the maxilla

Lateral view of view of the skull showing the body of the maxilla

Orbital surface (process) – posterior extension from body that forms much of orbit floor. [Anterior view]

Anterior view of the skull showing the orbital surface

Frontal process – upward extension from body that projects toward frontal bone. [Anterior view]

Anterior view of the skull showing the frontal process

Zygomatic process – lateral extension from body that projects toward zygomatic bone. [Anterior view/ Lateral view]

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Anterior view of the skull showing the zygomatic process

Lateral view of the skull showing the zygomatic process

Infraorbital foramen – prominent hole located inferior to orbit; passageway for infraorbital nerve and blood vessels. [Anterior view]

Anterior view of the skull showing the infraorbital foramen

Inferior orbital fissure – slit-like opening that runs along floor of orbit between maxilla and sphenoid bones; passageway for maxillary nerve and infraorbital vessels. [Anterior view]

Anterior view of the skull showing the iinferior orbital fissure

Anterior nasal spine – small anterior projection from floor of nasal cavity. [Anterior view]

Anterior view of the skull showing the anterior nasal spine

Alveolar process (margin, ridge, bor-der) – inferior extension that contains sockets (alveoli) for teeth. [Anterior view/ Lateral view]

Anterior view of the skull showing the alveolar process

Maxillary sinuses – two large, pyramidal-shape cavities located in the body of the maxilla bone. Each is lined by mucous membrane, and the mucous secretions drain into the mid-lateral wall of the nasal cavity through a small opening called an ostium. [Coronal view]

Coronal view of the skull showing the maxillary sinus

Palatine process – horizontal plate that forms anterior a portion of the hard palate (= nasal cavity floor / roof of mouth. [Inferior view]

Inferior view of the skull showing the pallatine process

Incisive fossa – depression along the junction of the two maxillae bones, just posterior to the incisors. It is the opening for the small incisive canals (or foramina) that carry the nasopalatine nerves and branches of greater palatine arteries into the nasal cavity. [Inferior view]