maxillary

American  

[mak-suh-ler-ee, mak-sil-uh-ree] / ˈmæk səˌlɛr i, mækˈsɪl ə ri /

adjective

1. of or relating to a jaw, jawbone, or maxilla.

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noun

plural

maxillaries

1. a maxilla or maxillary bone.

Other Word Forms

• intermaxillary adjective
• postmaxillary adjective

Etymology

Origin of maxillary

First recorded in 1620–30; maxill(a) + -ary

Example Sentences

The irritating insects have organs called maxillary palps that allow them to detect carbon dioxide from their prey.

From Slate • Aug. 19, 2022

The 14 facial bones are the nasal bones, the maxillary bones, zygomatic bones, palatine, vomer, lacrimal bones, the inferior nasal conchae, and the mandible.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

This is especially true of the maxillary sinuses, under each eye.

From New York Times • May 3, 2022

The nasal bone articulates superiorly with the frontal bone and laterally with the maxillary bones.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The bone of this region, around which all the others come to be grouped, is, as in man, the superior maxillary.

From Artistic Anatomy of Animals by Cuyer, ?douard