maxilla
maxilla Lexical Profile
maxilla Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The bone of the upper jaw in vertebrates, which forms part of the hard palate, the floor of the nasal cavity, and bears the upper teeth.
"A severe impact during the rugby match caused a hairline fracture in the player's left maxilla."
One of the paired mouthpart appendages situated immediately behind the mandibles in arthropods, primarily used for manipulating and tasting food.
"Under the stereomicroscope, the biology students observed how the insect used its maxillae to push food particles into its mouth."
Word Nuance & Usage
In human and vertebrate anatomy, 'maxilla' strictly refers to the upper jawbone, whereas the lower jawbone is anatomically termed the 'mandible'.
• Rhymes for maxilla
Word Origin & Etymology
From Latin 'maxilla', meaning 'jaw' or 'jawbone', which functions as a diminutive of 'mala' (jaw).