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maxilla

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(mak sil′ə)

noun pl. maxillae

in vertebrates, the upper jaw, or a major bone or cartilage of the upper jaw
in most arthropods, as insects or crabs, one of the first or second pair of accessory jaws or head appendages situated just behind the mandibles

Origin: L, dim., akin to mala, a jaw

See maxilla in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. max·il·lae (măk-sĭlˈē) or max·il·las

Anatomy Either of a pair of bones of the human skull fusing in the midline and forming the upper jaw.
A homologous bone of the skull in other vertebrates.
Either of two laterally moving appendages situated behind the mandibles in insects and most other arthropods.

Origin:

Origin: Latin, jawbone

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