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introductionstatpearls· Introduction· item NBK538527

The right and left maxillary bones fuse at the midline to form the maxilla, a midfacial structure that supports the viscerocranium, the set of bones forming the facial skeleton. The maxilla is a paired, pyramidal bone composed of a body and 4 processes: alveolar, frontal, zygomatic, and palatine (see Image. Left Maxilla and Upper Jaw).[1] This bone contributes to the formation of the oral and nasal cavities and the orbit, and it houses the upper teeth (see Image. Lateral and Frontal Views of the Maxilla).[2][3] Forces generated during mastication are transmitted to the cranium through the frontal and zygomatic processes. The maxillary sinus, the most voluminous of the paranasal sinuses, lies within the body of the maxilla. Injury to the maxilla can disrupt mastication, speech, and respiration. Surgical access to this bone requires careful navigation around the orbit, nasal cavity, and paranasal sinuses, underscoring its relevance in reconstructive and orthognathic procedures. Familiarity with maxillary anatomy and function allows clinicians to localize pathology, guide intervention, and minimize complications.