Maxilla definition
Either of a pair of bones of the human skull fusing in the midline and forming the upper jaw.
noun
In vertebrates, the upper jaw, or a major bone or cartilage of the upper jaw.
noun
(anatomy) Either of a pair of bones of the human skull fusing in the midline and forming the upper jaw.
noun
A homologous bone of the skull in other vertebrates.
noun
Either of two laterally moving appendages situated behind the mandibles in insects and most other arthropods.
noun
Advertisement
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.
noun
A homologous bone of the skull in other vertebrates.
noun
Either of two laterally moving appendages situated behind the mandibles in insects and most other arthropods.
noun
The upper part of the jaw in vertebrate animals.
Other Word Forms
Noun
Singular:
maxilla
Plural:
maxill, maxillae, maxillasOrigin of maxilla
- Latin jawbone
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
- From Latin maxilla (“jaw"), a diminutive of māla (“jaw").
From Wiktionary