maxilla

[ mak-sil-uh ]
/ mækˈsɪl ə /

noun, plural max·il·lae [mak-sil-ee] /mækˈsɪl i/.

a jaw or jawbone, especially the upper.
one of the paired appendages immediately behind the mandibles of arthropods.

Origin of maxilla

1670–80; < New Latin, special use of Latin maxilla lower jaw, diminutive of māla (< *maxlā) upper jaw, cheekbone

Example sentences from the Web for maxilla

British Dictionary definitions for maxilla

maxilla
/ (mækˈsɪlə) /

noun plural -lae (-liː)

the upper jawbone in vertebrates See jaw (def. 1)
any member of one or two pairs of mouthparts in insects and other arthropods used as accessory jaws

Derived forms of maxilla

maxillar (mækˈsɪlə) or maxillary, adjective

Word Origin for maxilla

C17: New Latin, from Latin: jaw

Medical definitions for maxilla

maxilla
[ măk-sĭlə ]

n. pl. max•il•las

Either of a pair of irregularly shaped bones of the skull, fusing in the midline, supporting the upper teeth, and forming part of the eye sockets, hard palate, and nasal cavity; upper jaw.

Scientific definitions for maxilla

maxilla
[ măk-sĭlə ]

Plural maxillae (măk-sĭlē) maxillas

The upper part of the jaw in vertebrate animals.