maxillomandibular

Maxillomandibular is a term used in anatomy and dentistry to describe aspects related to the maxilla (upper jaw) and the mandible (lower jaw). Together, these bones form the core of the jaw apparatus and establish the alignment of the teeth, the contour of the face, and the mechanics of chewing and speech.

The maxilla comprises the upper jaw, holding the upper teeth in the dental arch and contributing to the orbital floor, nasal walls, and palate. The mandible is a single, horseshoe-shaped bone that houses the lower teeth and forms the temporomandibular joints with the temporal bones. Embryologically, both derive largely from neural crest cells in the first pharyngeal arch; their bones develop predominantly by intramembranous ossification, with growth occurring at sutures and, for the mandible, at the condylar region.

Function and biomechanics: The maxillomandibular unit supports occlusion (how teeth meet), guides mastication, assists in speech, and shapes facial aesthetics. The teeth, joints, muscles, and ligaments working with these bones create the occlusal plane and facial contour.

Clinical significance: Variations in maxillomandibular relationships can give rise to malocclusion, jaw asymmetry, and temporomandibular joint disorders. Orthognathic surgery and orthodontics aim to restore functional bite and facial harmony by repositioning the maxilla and/or mandible. Trauma, congenital anomalies, and reconstructive procedures also involve the maxillomandibular complex.

Assessment and imaging: Evaluation often uses cephalometric analysis, panoramic radiographs, and cone-beam computed tomography to assess bone relationships, dental alignment, and joint condition.