Mandible vs. Maxilla — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 6, 2024
The mandible is the lower jawbone, pivotal for movement and supporting lower teeth, while the maxilla is the upper jawbone, fixed in place and supports the upper teeth, playing a key role in forming the face's structure.
Difference Between Mandible and Maxilla
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The mandible and maxilla are two critical bones in the human skull, each playing distinct roles in facial structure, dental health, and the process of eating and speaking. In contrast, the maxilla, or upper jawbone, is a stationary bone that forms the upper jaw and part of the orbits surrounding the eyes.
Both the mandible and maxilla house teeth in their alveolar processes, but they differ in their development and function. The mandible grows from a single bone, while the maxilla is formed from two bones that fuse in the middle line. This distinction is important in dental health and surgery, as conditions affecting the jawbones, such as fractures or malformations, require specific considerations depending on whether the mandible or maxilla is involved.
In terms of anatomy, the mandible is stronger and more robust, designed to withstand the forces of chewing. The maxilla, while also strong, serves more to anchor the teeth and support the facial structure. Both bones contain important foramina (holes) for the passage of nerves and blood vessels, providing sensation and nourishment to the face and teeth.
The mandible and maxilla are integral to the facial skeleton, each with distinct anatomical features and functions. The mandible's mobility contrasts with the maxilla's role in forming the face's structure, and together, they support all the teeth and play essential roles in mastication, speech, and facial aesthetics.
Comparison Chart
Bone Type
Lower jawbone
Upper jawbone
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Mobility
Movable, allowing for mouth opening and chewing
Stationary, fixed in place
Function
Supports lower teeth, involved in chewing and speaking
Supports upper teeth, forms part of the face's structure
Composition
Single bone
Two bones that fuse in the middle
Anatomical Location
Forms the lower part of the face
Forms the upper part of the face, including the hard palate
Role in Facial Structure
Gives shape to the lower face
Shapes the middle portion of the face, including nose and cheeks
Dental Support
Houses the lower teeth
Houses the upper teeth
Involvement in Other Functions
Articulates with the skull at temporomandibular joints
Involved in forming the hard palate for speech and swallowing
Compare with Definitions
Mandible
The bone forming the lower jaw, essential for chewing and speaking.
The mandible moves up and down when you open and close your mouth.
Maxilla
Fuses from two bones during development.
The fusion of the maxillary bones is crucial for a symmetrical facial structure.
Mandible
Supports the lower teeth.
Dental implants in the lower jaw are anchored in the mandible.
Maxilla
The bone that forms the upper jaw and part of the orbits.
The maxilla's alveolar process houses the upper teeth.
Mandible
Only movable bone in the human skull.
Jaw movement during eating involves the mandible articulating with the temporal bone.
Maxilla
Stationary and involved in forming the face's structure.
The maxilla contributes to the shape of the cheeks and under the eyes.
Mandible
Subject to conditions like fractures due to its mobility and role in mastication.
Mandibular fractures are common in facial traumas.
Maxilla
Supports the upper teeth and forms the hard palate.
The hard palate, part of the maxilla, is essential for speech and separating oral and nasal cavities.
Mandible
Provides lower facial contour and structure.
The mandible's shape significantly affects the appearance of the chin and lower face.
Maxilla
Plays a role in aesthetics and dental health.
Maxillary health is important for the alignment of upper teeth and overall facial harmony.
Mandible
In anatomy, the mandible, lower jaw or jawbone is the largest, strongest and lowest bone in the human facial skeleton. It forms the lower jaw and holds the lower teeth in place.
Maxilla
The maxilla (plural: maxillae ) in vertebrates is the upper fixed (not fixed in Neopterygii) bone of the jaw formed from the fusion of two maxillary bones. In humans, the upper jaw includes the hard palate in the front of the mouth.
Mandible
The jaw or a jawbone, especially the lower jawbone in mammals and fishes.
Maxilla
The jaw or jawbone, specifically the upper jaw in most vertebrates. In humans it also forms part of the nose and eye socket.
Mandible
The lower jaw of a vertebrate animal.
Maxilla
(Anatomy) Either of a pair of bones of the human skull fusing in the midline and forming the upper jaw.
Mandible
Either the upper or lower part of the beak in birds.
Maxilla
A homologous bone of the skull in other vertebrates.
Mandible
Any of various mouth organs of invertebrates used for seizing and biting food, especially either of a pair of such organs in insects and other arthropods.
Maxilla
Either of two laterally moving appendages situated behind the mandibles in insects and most other arthropods.
Mandible
The jaw or a jawbone, especially the lower jawbone in mammals and fishes.
Maxilla
Syn of jaw.
Mandible
Either of the upper and lower segments of a bird's beak.
Maxilla
An upper jaw especially of humans and other mammals in which the bony elements are closely fused.
Mandible
Any of various invertebrate mouthparts serving to hold or bite food materials.
Maxilla
(skeleton) Either of the two bones that lie with one on each side of the upper jaw lateral to the premaxilla and that in higher vertebrates bear most of the teeth.
Mandible
The bone, or principal bone, of the lower jaw; the inferior maxilla; - also applied to either the upper or the lower jaw in the beak of birds.
Maxilla
(zootomy) One of the first or second pair of mouthparts posterior to the mandibles in many arthropods that are used for tasting and manipulating food.
Mandible
The anterior pair of mouth organs of insects, crustaceaus, and related animals, whether adapted for biting or not. See Illust. of Diptera.
Maxilla
The bone of either the upper or the under jaw.
Mandible
The lower jawbone in vertebrates; it is hinged to open the mouth
Maxilla
One of the lower or outer jaws of arthropods.
Maxilla
The upper jawbone in vertebrates; it is fused to the cranium
Common Curiosities
Can the mandible and maxilla affect dental alignment?
Yes, the development and positioning of both the mandible and maxilla significantly affect dental alignment and occlusion (bite).
What is the main difference between the mandible and maxilla?
The main difference is mobility; the mandible is movable, aiding in chewing and speaking, while the maxilla is fixed, supporting the upper teeth and facial structure.
Can injuries to the mandible or maxilla be treated the same way?
Treatment depends on the specific injury and bone involved, considering the mandible's mobility and the maxilla's role in facial structure and support.
How do conditions like TMJ disorder relate to the mandible?
TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders directly involve the mandible, as they affect the joint's movement and function, leading to pain and mobility issues.
What role does the maxilla play in sinus health?
The maxilla contains the maxillary sinuses, which are the largest sinuses in the face, playing a role in respiratory health and influencing sinus conditions.
Are the mandible and maxilla affected by aging?
Yes, both bones can be affected by aging, with potential bone density loss and changes in dental health impacting their structure and function.
Is surgery on the mandible or maxilla common?
Surgery on these bones is common for various reasons, including correcting misalignments, repairing fractures, and treating congenital anomalies or diseases.
What is the significance of the mandible and maxilla in forensic science?
These jawbones are crucial in forensic analysis for identifying individuals, determining age or sex, and understanding health or nutritional status.
How are the mandible and maxilla connected?
While they don't directly connect to each other, they form the upper and lower parts of the jaw, housing all the teeth and playing crucial roles in facial anatomy.
How do the mandible and maxilla contribute to facial aesthetics?
Their shapes and positions significantly influence facial contours, symmetry, and aesthetics, affecting the lower face, cheekbones, and overall facial harmony.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
