maxilla

noun max·il·la \mak-ˈsi-lə\

plural max·il·lae \-ˈsi-(ˌ)lē, -ˌlī\ or maxillas

Definition of MAXILLA

a : jaw 1a

b (1) : an upper jaw especially of humans and other mammals in which the bony elements are closely fused (2) : either of the two bones that lie with one on each side of the upper jaw lateral to the premaxilla and that in higher vertebrates bear most of the teeth

: one of the first or second pair of mouthparts posterior to the mandibles in many arthropods (as insects or crustaceans)

— max·il·lary \ˈmak-sə-ˌler-ē, chiefly British mak-ˈsi-lə-rē\ adjective or noun

See maxilla defined for kids

Origin of MAXILLA

Latin, diminutive of mala jaw

First Known Use: 1676

MAXILLA Defined for Kids

maxilla

noun max·il·la \mak-ˈsi-lə\

plural max·il·lae \-lē\

Definition of MAXILLA for Kids

: an upper jaw especially of a mammal

: either of the pair of mouth parts next behind the mandibles of an arthropod (as an insect or a crustacean)

Medical Dictionary

maxilla

noun max·il·la \mak-ˈsil-ə\

plural max·il·lae \-ˈsil-(ˌ)ē, -ˌī\ or maxillas

Medical Definition of MAXILLA

: jaw 1a

a : an upper jaw especially of humans or other mammals in which the bony elements are closely fused b : either of two membrane bone elements of the upper jaw that lie lateral to the premaxillae and that in higher vertebrates including humans bear most of the teeth

: one of the first or second pair of mouthparts posterior to the mandibles in insects, myriopods, crustaceans and closely related arthropods