Where is the Maxilla Located?

The top inside of the oral cavity of mammals is known as the maxilla, which separates the nasal cavity from the oral cavity. The maxilla is composed of a soft palate and a hard palate. The front end of the maxilla has incisor lobes that can cut and tear food, while the rear end has molar lobes that are used to grind food. Additionally, the adductor muscles of the maxilla are relatively strong, while the abductor muscles are smaller. Typically, the maxilla is not completely symmetrical.

Now let's delve deeper into the anatomy and functions of the maxilla.

The maxilla, more accurately referred to as the palate, does not have a corresponding lower counterpart. It is located at the top of the oral cavity, resembling the roof of a house. Its sides and front are occupied by teeth, divided into the hard palate and the soft palate. The hard palate is located at the front, while the soft palate is situated at the rear. The hard palate is composed of the palatal bones and the palatal plates of the maxilla bones, covered by masticatory mucosa that adheres to the entire periosteum, forming the mucoperiosteum. The soft palate, on the other hand, consists of mucosa, the muscular layer beneath the mucosa, and the nasal mucosa of the nasal cavity. Beneath the mucosa, there are glands known as palatal glands. Both the hard and soft palates are situated above the nasal cavity, specifically the anterior and posterior nasal cavities.

The palate is typically covered by squamous epithelium, making it susceptible to certain diseases. For instance, mixed tumors can form in the palatal glands, and squamous cell carcinomas can develop in the epithelium.

The front end of the maxilla has incisor lobes that are responsible for cutting and tearing food, while the rear end has molar lobes that grind food. Additionally, the maxilla serves to separate the oral cavity from the nasal cavity.

The maxilla comprises both the hard and soft palates. It possesses strong adductor muscles and smaller abductor muscles. The contraction of these muscle bundles allows the maxilla to move laterally. Typically, the maxilla is not completely symmetrical.