Maksillene

Maksillene, or the maxillae in English, are the pair of irregular, keystone bones of the midface that form the upper jaw and central facial skeleton. Each maxilla houses the maxillary sinus and contributes to the floor of the orbit, the lateral wall of the nasal cavity, and the anterior portion of the hard palate. The two bones meet at the intermaxillary suture in the midline and fuse early in life, though they remain distinct bones during development.

Anatomically, each maxilla consists of a body (corpus) and several processes. The frontal process articulates with the frontal bone; the zygomatic process with the zygomatic bone; and the palatine process forms the anterior two-thirds of the hard palate. The orbital surface contributes to the floor of the eye socket; the infraorbital margin contains the infraorbital foramen, transmitting the infraorbital nerve and vessels. The alveolar process houses the sockets for the upper teeth, forming the dental arch above the maxillary teeth. The maxilla also forms part of the medial wall of the orbit and the lateral wall of the nasal cavity. The maxillary sinus lies within the body and drains into the middle nasal meatus.

Articulations: The maxilla articulates with the nasal, lacrimal, ethmoid, inferior nasal concha, palatine, frontal, and zygomatic bones, as well as with the opposite maxilla at the midline. The sinus and alveolar region are clinically significant for dentistry and sinus health.

Development and variation: The maxilla forms mainly by intramembranous ossification from the first pharyngeal arch (maxillary prominence). Growth is driven by tooth eruption and remodeling of sutures, with fusion completing the hard palate via the palatine processes. Clinical concerns include maxillary fractures and dental implant planning.