Maxilla

The maxillae (plural: maxillae /mækˈsɪliː/) are the two maxilla bones forming the upper jaw and palate of the mouth. The two halves are fused at the intermaxillary suture to form the upper jaw. This is similar to the mandible (lower jaw), which is also a fusion of two halves at the mandibular symphysis.

Sometimes (e.g. in bony fish), the maxilla is called "upper maxilla," with the mandible being the "lower maxilla." Conversely, in birds the upper jaw is often called "upper mandible."

Structure

Each half of the fused maxillae consists of:

Articulations

Each maxilla articulates with nine bones: