Which term is used to designate the upper jaw region?

Which term is used to designate the upper jaw region?

• A. Maxillary
• B. Mandibular
• C. Palatal
• D. Lingual

Answer: (A)

Maxillary is used to designate the upper jaw region because it comes from the maxilla, the bone that forms the upper jaw and much of the roof of the mouth. In dental terminology, structures related to the upper jaw are described as maxillary (for example, maxillary teeth or the maxillary arch). Mandibular refers to the lower jaw (the mandible). Palatal describes the palate, the roof of the mouth, rather than the entire jaw. Lingual describes surfaces toward the tongue, not the overall jaw region. So, for the upper jaw, maxillary is the correct term.

Maxillary is used to designate the upper jaw region because it comes from the maxilla, the bone that forms the upper jaw and much of the roof of the mouth. In dental terminology, structures related to the upper jaw are described as maxillary (for example, maxillary teeth or the maxillary arch).

Mandibular refers to the lower jaw (the mandible). Palatal describes the palate, the roof of the mouth, rather than the entire jaw. Lingual describes surfaces toward the tongue, not the overall jaw region. So, for the upper jaw, maxillary is the correct term.