noun
- either of the two bones that form the upper jaw in vertebrates
Usage: anatomy
Examples
- The dentist examined the patient’s maxilla for signs of infection.
- A fracture of the maxilla can affect both eating and speaking.
- The maxilla holds the upper teeth in place.
- CT scans revealed damage to the left maxilla.
- The maxilla forms part of the eye socket and nasal cavity.
- Surgeons repaired the broken maxilla with titanium plates.