Maxilla

Parts

Articulations

Ossification
Clinical Notes
 Maxilla
Body
Alveolar process
Frontal process
Zygomatic process
Palatine process
Superiorly: frontal bone
Posteriorly: sphenoid, palatine, lacrimal, ethmoid bones
Medially: nasal bone, vomer
Inferior: nasal concha
Laterally: zygomatic bone
Intramembranous ossification
Periodontal disease is a common cause for bone resorption
within the alveolar process which may result after a severe
inflammation of the gums (gingivitis). Children, older people
and people with poor oral hygiene are particularly affected.
Certain bacteria or immunosuppression may also contribute to
the progress of this disease. Another cause for alveolar ridge
resorption can be an aplastic tooth or missing tooth (e.g. after
extraction).

As the maxilla is the central bone of the midface it can fracture

through various accidents, most commonly the Le Fort fractures
which are subclassified into three types:

Le Fort I fracture: detachment of the alveolar process from the

maxilla in a rectangular form, with the center being at the
inferior border of the bony nasal cavity. This leaves the patient
with a mobile upper jaw.
Le Fort II fracture: pyramidal in shape, involving the alveolar
process, midface and nasal bones. The midface is mobile.
Le Fort III fracture: separation of the viscerocranium from the
neurocranium. The entire maxilla and nasal bones detach from
the skull, leaving the face in its entirety to hang at the discretion
of the facial tissues