Upper jaw

Upper Jaw

The Upper Jaw or Maxilla forms a major part of the facial structure in humans and many other animals. It is one of the two jaws, the other being the mandible or lower jaw. The upper jaw includes the hard palate in the front of the mouth. The maxilla attaches on either side to the zygomatic bones (cheekbones) and forms part of the nasal cavity and eye socket.

Structure

The upper jaw is a fused (joined) bone that contains the upper teeth, forming the roof of the mouth, which is also known as the hard palate. The hard palate separates the mouth from the nasal cavity. The upper jaw also contains the maxillary sinuses, one of the four pairs of paranasal sinuses. These sinuses are air-filled spaces that help to lighten the weight of the skull and give resonance to the voice.

Function

The upper jaw plays a crucial role in the function of the digestive and respiratory systems. It assists in the initial stage of digestion by holding and manipulating food during mastication (chewing). The upper jaw also forms part of the nasal cavity, providing a passageway for air during respiration.

Clinical Significance

Conditions that can affect the upper jaw include maxillary sinusitis, which is inflammation of the maxillary sinuses, often due to infection. Cleft palate is a condition where the roof of the mouth contains an opening into the nose. This condition is present from birth and can affect both the hard and soft palate. maxillary fractures are breaks in the maxilla. These are often the result of trauma to the face.

See Also

• Mandible
• Skull
• Human Skeleton
• Facial Bones

References

Upper jaw Resources
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