Maxillary tuberosity
Tuber maxillae
- Latin synonym: Eminentia maxillae
Definition
T he maxillary tuberosity is at the lower part of the infratemporal surface of maxilla.
It is a rounded eminence, especially prominent after the growth of the wisdom tooth; it is rough on its lateral side for articulation with the pyramidal process of the palatine bone and in some cases articulates wth the lateral pterygoid plate of the sphenoid.
It gives origin to a few fibers of the Pterygoideus internus.
Immediately above this is a smooth surface, which forms the anterior boundary of the pterygopalatine fossa, and presents a groove, for the maxillary nerve; this groove is directed lateralward and slightly upward, and is continuous with the infraorbital groove on the orbital surface.
This definition incorporates text from a public domain edition of Gray's Anatomy (20th U.S. edition of Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body, published in 1918 – from http://www.bartleby.com/107/).
