Principal Upper Jaw Bone:
• Facial tuberosity: Knob-like elevation above 3rd/4th cheek tooth (bovine equivalent of horse's facial crest)
• Infraorbital foramen: Single (occasionally double), dorsal to first cheek tooth
• No upper incisors/canines: Only cheek teeth present (dental pad instead)
• Maxillary sinus: Extensive, extends into palatine/lacrimal
• Drainage issue: Nasomaxillary opening is high on medial wall (gravity drainage poor)
• Palatine process: Forms major portion of hard palate

The Facial Skeleton Anchor

The maxilla is the principal bone of the upper jaw, carrying the upper cheek teeth (premolars and molars) and forming the lateral walls of the nasal cavity.

Anatomical Topography

Facial Tuberosity (Tuber faciale): A prominent, knob-like rough elevation on the lateral surface, situated above the 3rd or 4th cheek tooth. It serves as an attachment for the buccinator muscle. It is the bovine equivalent of the facial crest in the horse but is less ridge-like.

Infraorbital Foramen: Located dorsal to the first cheek tooth; it acts as the exit point for the infraorbital nerve and artery. In the ox, it is single (occasionally double).

Alveolar Process: A thick ridge housing the roots of the upper cheek teeth. The ox has no upper incisors or canines; thus, the maxilla lacks alveoli in the rostral region.

Maxillary Sinus: A large diverticulum housed within the maxilla. It extends into the palatine bone and the lacrimal bulla. It communicates with the nasal cavity via the nasomaxillary opening, which is situated high on the medial wall, making gravity drainage of pus difficult.

Palatine Process: Forms the major portion of the hard palate, fusing with the counterpart at the median palatine suture.