Anatomy of the Face - Flipbook - Page 37
Maxilla Bone
The maxilla, also known as the upper jaw, is the most important bone of the midface. It has a central location and provides
structural support to the viscerocranium. It has functional and aesthetic significance as it has a fundamental role in facial
architecture, separates the nasal and oral cavities, forms the upper jaw, contains the maxillary sinus and plays an important role
for mastication and communication.
The maxilla consists of the body and its four projections:
•Frontal process
•Zygomatic process
•Palatine process
•Alveolar process
The maxilla articulates with numerous bones: superiorly with the frontal bone, posteriorly with the sphenoid bone, palatine and
lacrimal bones and ethmoid bone, medially with the nasal bone, vomer, inferior nasal concha and laterally with the zygomatic
bone.
Note that the maxilla may look like a single bone but is truly paired forming a delicate suture in the middle line known as
the median palatine (or intermaxillary) suture. Furthermore the bone comes in contact with the septal and nasal cartilages.
Blood supply to the maxilla is via branches of the maxillary artery. Innervation of the maxilla is via the maxillary nerve (V2).
MUSCLES ORIGINATING FROM THE MAXILLA
The nasalis muscle has its origin on the maxilla and lateral nasal sidewall and sends fibers over the nasal dorsum to meet the
contralateral muscle. Its contraction opens the nostrils during deep inspiration.
The LLSAN (levator labii superioris alaeque nasi) has its origin on the upper frontal process of the maxilla and extends inferiorly into
the orbicularis oris. Its function is to evert the lip, dilate the nasal ala and deepen the nasolabial fold.
The LLS (levator labii superioris) originates on the inferior orbital margin, near the infraorbital foramen, and inserts in the orbicularis
oris. Its contraction everts the upper lip and deepens the nasolabial fold.
The LAO (levator anguli oris) originates from the canine fossa and inserts on the lateral commissure muscular slip, also known as
the modiolus.It functions moving the oral commissure, contributes to smiling and in the movement of the nasolabial fold.
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