Skull · Irregular bone
Maxilla (Upper Jaw)
The maxilla is the upper jaw. It holds the upper teeth, forms the roof of the mouth and the floor of the eye sockets, and shapes the middle of the face.
What it is
The maxilla is formed by two bones fused in the midline. It carries the upper teeth and contains the large maxillary sinuses.
Where it is
The middle of the face, forming the upper jaw, most of the roof of the mouth and part of the eye sockets and nose.
What it does
Holds the upper teeth, forms the hard palate (roof of the mouth), contributes to the eye sockets and nasal cavity, and contains the maxillary sinuses.
Connections
Joints and connections
- Sutures with most facial bones
When things go wrong
Common injuries and conditions
- Maxillary (mid-face) fracture
- Maxillary sinusitis (a very common cause of facial pain and a blocked nose)
Education and reference only. This explains the anatomy in plain terms; it is not a diagnosis. A severe injury, a visibly deformed limb, or the inability to move or bear weight needs urgent assessment — call 999 or go to A&E for a serious injury.
Did you know?
An interesting fact
Unlike the movable lower jaw, the upper jaw (maxilla) is fixed to the rest of the skull.
Answers
Maxilla: frequently asked questions
What is the maxilla?
The maxilla is the upper jaw. It holds the upper teeth, forms the roof of the mouth, and shapes the middle of the face.
Explore the skull
Related bones
Sources
Where this is drawn from
- NHS — Anatomy and body systems
- Gray's Anatomy for Students (Drake, Vogl, Mitchell)
- TeachMeAnatomy — skeletal system
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