Final answer:
The maxilla refers to the part of the jaw that forms the upper jawbone. It includes the alveolar process which anchors the upper teeth and contributes to the hard palate, floor of the orbit, and base of the nose.
Step-by-step explanation:
The maxilla refers to the upper part of the jaw. The maxillary bone, also known just as the maxilla, is one of a pair that forms the upper jaw. This bone is a major component of the facial structure, contributing to the hard palate, the floor of the orbit, which holds our eye, and the base of the nose. Also, the alveolar process of the maxilla is the part that contains the upper teeth, with each tooth being anchored into an alveolus, or socket. The maxilla is not to be confused with the mandible, which refers to the lower jaw and is the only moveable bone of the skull.