Oral physiology (Oral Cavity — M1)

Maxillae

The maxilla is the paired upper jawbone that plays

a crucial role in facial structure, mastication,

speech, and respiration

Maxillae

It forms the central

midface, supports the upper teeth, contributes to

the orbit, nasal cavity, and hard palate, and

houses the maxillary sinus

Maxilla

This is the second largest bone in the face

Maxilla

It forms the upper jaw with the fellow of the opposite side

• Floor of orbit

• Roof of the mouth

• Lateral wall of the nose

• Pterigopalatine and infratemporal fossae

• Pterigomaxillary and infraorbital fissures

What structures does the maxilla contribute in the formation of?

It forms the framework of the midface

State the structural support of the maxilla

Anchors upper teeth via alveolar process

State the mastication function of the maxilla

Contributes to the nasal cavity walls and supports airflow

State the respiration function of the maxilla

It provides resonance and articulation through hard palate formation

State the speech function of the maxilla

Helps form the orbit, protecting the eyes

What is the protection function of the maxilla?

Houses the maxillary sinus, which lightens skull weight and aids in humidifying inhaled air

What is the sinus function of the maxilla?

• Body – pyramidal, with four surfaces:

— Orbital surface (forms part of the floor of the orbit).

— Nasal surface (forms part of the lateral wall of the nasal cavity).

— Infratemporal surface (faces the infratemporal fossa).

— Anterior surface (visible on the face)

What are the main parts pf the maxilla

Superior: the anterior or facial surface is separated from the orbital area above the infraorbital ridge

What is the superior boundary of the anterior surface of the maxilla

Medial: it is bordered by the nasal notch margin

What is the medial boundary of the anterior surface of the maxilla?

Posterior: it is derived from the posterior surface by the anterior border of the zygomatic process, which features a ridge over the first molar roots

What is the posterior boundary of the anterior surface of the maxilla?

Canine eminence

What is the most prominent ridge that corresponds to the canine tooth root?

Incisive fossa

What do you call the structure that is in front of the canine eminence, over the incisor roots

Canine fossa

What is partly formed by the projecting zygomatic process and is behind the canine eminence, at a higher level?

The projecting zygomatic process

The canine fossa is partly formed by what structure?

Infraorbital foramen

This is the external opening of the infraorbital canal and is above the canine fossa and below the infraorbital ridge

Premolar roots

What structure does the canine fossa lie above?

Posterior ridge of the orbital surface

The posterior surface of the maxilla is bounded above by what structure?

Zygomatic process & zygomatic ridge

What structure separates the posterior surface to the anterior surface?

It is pierced by two or more posterior alveolar foramina near the lower border of the zygomatic process

What pierces the convex surface of the posterior maxilla?

The inferior part of the posterior surface

In the posterior surface of the maxilla, what part of it forms the maxillary tuberosity that overhangs the third molar root?

Palatine bone and sometimes the sphenoid bone

The posterior surface of the maxilla medially articulates with which structures?

Posterior surface

This surface of the maxilla forms the anterior boundary of the pterygomaxillary fissure

Orbital surface

This is the smooth surface forming the floor of the orbit with the zygomatic bone

• frontal process - articulates with frontal bone

• Zygomatic process - connects to zygomatic bone

• Palatine process - forms anterior part of hard palate

• Alveolar process - houses upper teeth sockets

State the processes of the maxilla