Maxilla

The maxilla is the most complex viscerocranium bone, joining with all other facial skeleton bones except the mandible. The trick to remember the anatomy of the maxilla is based on digit "4": the maxilla has four surfaces, four processes, and the cavity in the middle.

Download JPG image — Maxilla ex situ & in situ.
The right zygomatic bone is removed to visualize better bones that contact the maxilla, i.e., frontal bone and all facial skeleton bones except mandible.

Anterior aspect of two maxillae with the terminology comments — The frontal aspect of two maxillae.
The list of terms:
Facies anterior corporis maxillae – Anterior surface of the body of maxilla
Facies orbitalis corporis maxillae – Orbital surface of the body of maxilla
Processus frontalis – Frontal process of maxilla
Processus zygomaticus – Zygomatic process
Processus alveolaris – Alveolar process
Margo infraorbitalis – Infraorbital margin
Incisura nasalis – Nasal notch
Sulcus infraorbitalis – Infraorbital groove
Foramen infraorbitale – Infraorbital foramen

Posterior aspect of maxillae with the terminology markup — The posterior aspect of two maxillae.
The list of terms:
Tuber maxillae – Tuber of maxilla
Facies nasalis corporis maxillae – Nasal surface of the body of maxilla
Processus frontalis – Frontal process
Processus zygomaticus – Zygomatic process
Processus palatinus – Palatine process
Processus alveolaris – Alveolar process
Sinus maxillaris – Maxillary sinus
Canalis incisivus – Incisive canal
Foramina alveolaria – Alveolar foramina

Markup for the bottom view of two maxillae — The bottom view of two maxillae.
The list of terms:
Arcus alveolaris – Alveolar arch
Juga alveolaria – Alveolar juga
Septa interalveolaria – Interalveolar septa
Septa interradicularia – Interradicular septa
Foramen incisivum – Incisive foramen
Sulcus palatinus major – Greater palatine sulcus
Sulci palatini – Palatine grooves
Spinae palatinae – Palatine spines

Lateral view of right maxilla with the terminology comments — The lateral view of right maxilla.
The list of terms:
Crista lacrimalis anterior – Anterior lacrimal crest
Margo lacrimalis – Lacrimal margin
Canalis infraorbitalis – Infraorbital canal
Sulcus infraorbitalis – Infraorbital groove
Foramen infraorbitale – Infraorbital foramen
Crista nasalis – Nasal crest
Spina nasalis anterior – Anterior nasal spine
Tuber maxillae – Tuber of maxilla
Fossa canina – Canine fossa
Eminentia canina – Canine eminence
Arcus alveolaris superior – Superior alveolar arch
Dentes incisivi – Incisor teeths
Dens caninus – Canine teeth
Dentes premolares – Premolar teeth
Dentes molares – Molar teeth

Medial view of right maxilla with the terminology comments — The medial view of the right maxilla.
The list of terms:
Crista ethmoidalis – Ethmoid crest
Crista conchalis – Conchal crest
Sulcus lacrimalis – Lacrimal groove
Incisura lacrimalis – Lacrimal notch
Spina nasalis anterior – Anterior nasal spine
Crista nasalis – Nasal crest
Canalis incisivus – Incisive canal
Sulcus palatinus major – Greater palatine sulcus
Sinus maxillaris – Maxillary sinus
Hiatus maxillaris – Maxillary hiatus

Maxilla in situ & ex situ. 360° rotation.

First published: Jul/2019
Last update: 19/Nov/2020