maxilla

[mak-sil-uh] /mækˈsɪl ə/

noun, plural maxillae

[mak-sil-ee] /mækˈsɪl i/ (Show IPA)

a jaw or jawbone, especially the upper.

one of the paired appendages immediately behind the mandibles of arthropods.

Origin

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

British Dictionary definitions for maxilla

maxilla

/mækˈsɪlə/

noun (pl) -lae (-liː)

the upper jawbone in vertebrates See jaw (sense 1)

any member of one or two pairs of mouthparts in insects and other arthropods used as accessory jaws

Derived Forms

maxillar (mækˈsɪlə), maxillary, adjective

Word Origin

C17: New Latin, from Latin: jaw

Word Origin and History for maxilla

"jaw, jawbone," 1670s, from Latin maxilla "upper jaw," diminutive of mala "jaw, cheekbone." "Maxilla stands to mala as axilla, 'armpit,' stands to ala 'wing'" [Klein]. Related: Maxillar; maxilliform.

maxilla in Medicine

maxilla max·il·la (māk-sĭl'ə)
n. pl. max·il·las or max·il·lae (māk-sĭl'ē)
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.

maxilla in Science

maxilla

(māk-sĭl'ə)
Plural maxillae (māk-sĭl'ē) or maxillas
The upper part of the jaw in vertebrate animals.