A. Paired bones of the facial bones

3. Maxilla

The maxilla is the largest bone of the face. Together with the incisive bone the maxilla forms the upper jaw. On its external surface there is the infraorbital foramen, for the passage of infraorbital nerve, vein and artery. The short infraorbital canal lies dorsal to the upper fourth premolar. The canal begins at the maxillary foramen and ends at the infraorbital foramen.

The maxillary recess is a lateral diverticulum of the nasal cavity, which lies medially to the lacrimal and infraorbital canals. The maxilla forms the ventral and lateral walls of the recess. The medial wall of the maxillary recess is formed by the ethmoid bone. Within the maxillary recess there are the lateral nasal gland that lies against the lateral wall of the maxilla.