Maxilla vs mandible: how they differ, in 3D
The maxilla is the pair of bones forming the upper jaw, which holds the upper teeth, and the mandible is the single bone of the lower jaw, which holds the lower teeth. The maxillae are fixed to the other skull bones by sutures and do not move, while the mandible moves at the jaw joint with the temporal bones when we chew and speak.
Frequently asked questions
Which bone of the skull can move?
Apart from the tiny bones of the middle ear, the mandible is the only skull bone that moves. The other skull bones are joined by sutures, and the mandible moves at the jaw joint with the temporal bones.
How many maxillae and mandibles are there?
There are two maxillae, a left and a right one joined in the middle, and one mandible. The mandible starts as two halves at birth, which fuse in the middle during the first year of life.
Which bones form the roof of the mouth?
The front of the hard palate is formed by the maxillae and the back by the palatine bones. The mandible takes no part in the palate.
The bones compared
Joints they form
Other comparisons
- Radius vs ulna
- Tibia vs fibula
- Cervical vs thoracic vs lumbar vertebrae
- Atlas vs axis (C1 and C2)
- Femur vs humerus
- Clavicle vs scapula
- Scaphoid vs navicular bone
- Carpals vs tarsals
- Metacarpals vs metatarsals
- True vs false vs floating ribs
Skeleton
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