The paired maxillae primarily contribute to the nasal cavity and roof of the mouth. Each contain a maxillary sinus (one of the paranasal sinuses) that drains into the middle meatus. The bone has four processes:

• frontal process: articulates with the frontal bone and forms anterolateral sides of the nasal cavity plus anteromedial edges of the bony orbit
• alveolar process: a thickened ridge on the inferior surface that contains tooth sockets
• zygomatic process: communicates with the zygomatic bone
• palatine process: forms part of the hard palate