MAXILLA ANATOMY
Maxilla - Disarticulated View, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
- Key bone of the facial skeleton
- Forms the upper jaw
- Contributes to multiple anatomical regions:
- Roof of the oral cavity
- Orbital floor
- Lateral and inferior walls of the nasal cavity
- Articulations:
- Frontal bone
- Ethmoid bone
- Nasal bone
- Zygomatic bone
- Lacrimal bone
- Inferior nasal concha
- Palatine bone
- Vomer
- Contralateral maxilla
STRUCTURAL COMPONENTS
Maxilla - Structural Segments, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.
- Central body
- Four projecting processes:
- Zygomatic process
- Frontal process
- Alveolar process
- Palatine process
BODY OF THE MAXILLA
- Central portion of the bone
- Contains the maxillary sinus
- Large pneumatic cavity
- Reduces skull weight
- Contributes to vocal resonance
- Features four distinct surfaces:
- Orbital surface
- Anterior surface
- Infratemporal surface
- Nasal surface
Orbital Surface
Orbital Surface of Maxilla, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.
- Superior aspect forming orbital floor
- Smooth triangular configuration
- Supports ocular structures
- Contains infra-orbital groove
- Begins at posterior border
- Continues as infra-orbital canal
- Transmits infra-orbital nerve and vessels
- Infra-orbital foramen — exit point onto facial surface
- Provides innervation and blood supply to midface
- Maxillary orbital margin
- Forms inferior orbital rim
- Separates orbital cavity from facial surface
Anterior Surface
Anterior Surface of Maxilla, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.
- Faces forward and slightly lateral
- Canine fossa — depression on this surface
- Located inferior to infra-orbital foramen
- Positioned superior to canine tooth roots
- Displays prominences corresponding to tooth roots
- Nasal notch — deep concavity
- Contributes to piriform aperture
- Pear-shaped nasal opening
- Anterior nasal spine
- Formed by union of left and right maxillae
- Located at inferior aspect of nasal notch
- Sharp projection
- Provides attachment for septal cartilage
Infratemporal Surface
Infratemporal Surface of Maxilla, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.
- Posterior aspect
- Contributes to infratemporal fossa
- Contributes to pterygopalatine fossa
- Maxillary tuberosity — rounded eminence
- Located posterior to last molar
- Serves as muscular attachment site
- Important landmark in dental procedures
- Alveolar foramina and canals
- Transmit posterior superior alveolar nerves
- Transmit posterior superior alveolar vessels
- Supply molar teeth
Nasal Surface
Nasal Surface of Maxilla, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.
- Medial aspect
- Forms lateral nasal cavity wall
- Lacrimal groove — deep channel
- Combines with lacrimal bone
- Forms nasolacrimal canal
- Transmits nasolacrimal duct
- Drains tears into nasal cavity
- Conchal crest — bony ridge
- Articulates with inferior nasal concha
- Contributes to lateral nasal wall
- Lacrimal margin
- Articulates with lacrimal bone
- Contributes to medial orbital wall
- Maxillary hiatus — large irregular opening
- Leads into maxillary sinus
- Partially covered by adjacent bones in life
- Covered by mucous membrane
- Regulates sinus airflow and drainage
- Greater palatine groove
- Located near posterior border
- Combines with palatine bone
- Forms greater palatine canal
- Transmits greater palatine nerve and vessels
- Supplies hard palate
FRONTAL PROCESS
Frontal Process of Maxilla, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.
- Upward projection from maxillary body
- Articulates with frontal bone
- Contributes to lateral nasal boundary
- Contributes to medial orbital wall
- Anterior lacrimal crest — vertical ridge
- Provides attachment for lacrimal sac
- Provides attachment for medial palpebral ligament
- Important for lacrimal apparatus
- Lacrimal notch — posterior indentation
- Articulates with lacrimal bone
- Completes lacrimal fossa
- Houses lacrimal sac
- Ethmoidal crest — oblique ridge
- Located on frontal process
- Articulates with middle nasal concha of ethmoid
- Contributes to nasal cavity architecture
ZYGOMATIC PROCESS
Zygomatic Process of Maxilla, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.
- Lateral projection from maxillary body
- Articulates with zygomatic bone
- Forms part of infraorbital rim
- Contributes to cheek prominence
- Maintains facial contour
- Provides muscular attachment sites
PALATINE PROCESS
Palatine Process of Maxilla, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.
- Medial projection from maxillary body
- Forms anterior three-quarters of hard palate
- Separates oral and nasal cavities
- Serves as nasal cavity floor
- Serves as oral cavity roof
- Supports upper dentition
- Nasal crest — midline ridge
- Located where left and right maxillae meet
- Provides attachment for vomer
- Contributes to nasal septum
- Incisive canals — anterior passages
- Pass through palatine process
- Transmit nasopalatine nerves
- Transmit branches of greater palatine arteries
- Open inferiorly at incisive foramina
- Located posterior to incisor teeth
- Inferior surface features:
- Palatine grooves
- Palatine spines
- Support hard palate mucous membrane
ALVEOLAR PROCESS
Alveolar Process of Maxilla, Preview from the app. Download 3D OSTEOLOGY for full 3D control—multiple views, x-ray mode, and unlimited zoom.
- Inferior portion of maxilla
- Contains dental alveoli
- Sockets for upper teeth roots
- Essential for tooth anchorage
- Important for mastication and speech
- Alveolar arch — curved free margin
- Follows dental arcade contour
- Interalveolar septa — bony partitions
- Separate adjacent tooth sockets
- Interradicular septa
- Present in multirooted teeth
- Divide alveoli further
- Provide additional root support
- Alveolar yokes — external prominences
- Correspond to tooth root positions
- Contribute to upper jaw contour
- Incisive foramina — midline openings
- Located posterior to incisors
- Important anatomical landmarks
- Transmit neurovascular structures to anterior palate
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Henry G, Warren HL. Osteology. In: Anatomy of the Human Body. 20th ed. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1918. p. 129–97.