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

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

From New York Times • May 3, 2022

Each paranasal sinus is named for its associated bone: frontal sinus, maxillary sinus, sphenoidal sinus, and ethmoidal sinus.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Blood from the more superficial portions of the head, scalp, and cranial regions, including the temporal vein and maxillary vein, flow into each external jugular vein.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Riley holds that the hypopharynx belongs to the mandibular and maxillary segments, while the cervical sclerites or gula represent the sternum of the labial segment.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 4 "Hero" to "Hindu Chronology" by Various