Yläleualuut

Yläleualuut, also known as the maxilla, refers to the paired bones that fuse to form the upper jaw. This prominent structure is a crucial component of the human facial skeleton. It houses the upper teeth and plays a significant role in forming the roof of the mouth (hard palate), the floor and sides of the nasal cavity, and the floor of the orbit (eye socket). Each maxilla develops from two halves that typically fuse by the third month of fetal development.

The maxilla is a complex bone with several important parts. It has a body, which is roughly pyramidal in shape, containing the maxillary sinus. Extending from the body are four processes: the alveolar process, which supports the upper teeth; the zygomatic process, which articulates with the zygomatic bone (cheekbone); the frontal process, which forms part of the nose and articulates with the frontal bone; and the palatine process, which fuses with its counterpart to form the anterior part of the hard palate. The maxilla articulates with numerous other bones of the skull, including the frontal, ethmoid, nasal, lacrimal, zygomatic, palatine, inferior concha, and vomer bones. Fractures of the maxilla can range from minor to severe, impacting facial structure, dental occlusion, and the ability to breathe through the nose.