The Facial bone is a paired bone that forms your upper jaw, and it does far more than hold your teeth in place. Sitting at the center of the midface, this bone shapes the floor of the eye sockets, the walls of the nasal cavity, and the roof of the mouth – all while anchoring the muscles used to chew, speak, and smile.
This guide covers the Facial bone’s structure, its important anatomical landmarks, its neurovascular relationships, and its clinical significance in trauma, dentistry, and reconstructive surgery.
What Is the Facial Bone?
The Facial bone is a paired, pyramidal bone that forms the upper jaw and the central portion of the facial skeleton. The two Facial bones fuse at the midline along the median maxillary bony suture, together forming what’s commonly called “the Facial bone.” It’s the second-largest bone of the face, surpassed in size only by the mandible.
The Facial bone is fixed in position, unlike the mandible, which moves at the temporomandibular joint. This fixed structure gives the lower jaw a stable surface to work against during chewing, and it makes the Facial bone a reliable anatomical reference point during trauma assessment and reconstructive planning.
Together, the two Facial bones contribute to four major facial structures: the hard palate, the floor and lateral wall of the nasal cavity, the floor of the orbit, and the maxillary sinus – the largest of the four paranasal sinuses.
Facial bone Anatomy at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
| Location | Midface, forming the upper jaw |
| Type | Paired, pyramidal facial bone |
| Number of bones | Two (fused at the median maxillary bony suture) |
| Main parts | One body, four processes |
| Four surfaces of body | Anterior, posterior (infratemporal), superior (orbital), medial (nasal) |
| Four processes | Frontal, zygomatic, palatine, alveolar |
| Articulates with | Eight named neighboring bones plus the opposite Facial bone |
| Contains | Maxillary bony sinus, the largest paranasal sinus |
| Primary nerve supply | Maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve (CN V2) and its branches |
| Core functions | Anchors upper teeth, shapes midface, forms part of orbit and nasal cavity, supports speech and mastication |
Anatomical Structure of the Facial Bone
Body and Four Surfaces
The body of the Facial bone is pyramidal and hollow, housing the maxillary sinus. It has four surfaces, each carrying distinct landmarks:
- Anterior (facial) surface – includes the infraorbital foramen, canine fossa, and incisive fossa
- Posterior (infratemporal) surface – faces the infratemporal fossa; contains the maxillary bony tuberosity and alveolar foramina
- Superior (orbital) surface – forms most of the orbital floor; contains the infraorbital groove and canal
- Medial (nasal) surface – forms part of the lateral nasal wall; contains the maxillary bony ostium and conchal crest
Four Processes
| Process | Location | Key Articulation |
| Frontal process | Extends upward and medially | Articulates with the frontal and nasal bones; forms the lacrimal groove with the lacrimal bone |
| Zygomatic process | Extends laterally | Articulates with the zygomatic bone; forms the superolateral border of the maxillary sinus |
| Palatine process | Extends medially | Forms roughly two-thirds of the hard palate and part of the nasal floor |
| Alveolar process | Extends downward | Horseshoe-shaped; forms the tooth sockets and extends posteriorly to the maxillary bony tuberosity |
Read More: Maxilla
The alveolar process forms the maxillary bony dental arch – the row of eight sockets on each side that hold the upper teeth. Its bone density and shape directly affect procedures like extractions, implants, and orthodontic treatment, and it undergoes progressive resorption after tooth loss, which is why long-term edentulism changes facial profile and denture fit over time.
Important Anatomical Landmarks of the Facial Bone
Beyond the body and processes, several smaller landmarks are clinically significant and frequently referenced in anatomy education:
- Infraorbital foramen, groove, and canal – the groove crosses the orbital floor, continues as the infraorbital canal, and opens at the infraorbital foramen roughly 1 cm below the orbital rim; it transmits the infraorbital nerve and vessels. Trauma here often causes cheek and upper-lip numbness.
- Canine fossa – a depression on the anterior surface lateral to the canine eminence; serves as the origin of the levator anguli oris muscle.
- Incisive fossa – a shallow depression medial to the canine eminence on the anterior surface.
- Anterior nasal spine – a pointed projection formed by the palatine processes at the base of the nasal cavity.
- Incisive canal and foramen – located in the anterior hard palate; transmits the nasopalatine nerve and sphenopalatine artery branches, connecting the oral and nasal cavities.
- Maxillary bony tuberosity – a rounded prominence at the posterior end of the alveolar process; anchors part of the pterygoid musculature and marks a common fracture reference point.
- Alveolar foramina – small openings on the infratemporal surface transmitting the posterior superior alveolar nerves and vessels to the molars.
- Lacrimal groove – formed with the lacrimal bone on the frontal process; continues inferiorly as part of the nasolacrimal canal.
- Maxillary bony ostium (Maxillary bony hiatus) – the drainage opening of the maxillary bony sinus into the nasal cavity’s middle meatus.
- Orbital floor contribution and relation to the inferior orbital fissure – the Facial bone forms most of the orbital floor; the inferior orbital fissure runs along its posterolateral margin and separates it from the greater wing of the sphenoid, a relevant landmark in orbital floor fractures.
What Bones Does the Facial bone Articulate With?
Each Facial bone articulates with eight named neighboring bones plus the opposite Facial bone, giving nine total articulations when the contralateral Facial bone is included. This extensive connectivity is part of why fractures here can affect such a wide area of the face:
- Frontal bone (superiorly)
- Nasal bone
- Lacrimal bone
- Ethmoid bone
- Zygomatic bone (laterally)
- Inferior nasal concha
- Vomer
- Palatine bone (posteriorly)
- Opposite Facial bone (at the midline)
Neurovascular Relationships of the Facial bone
Nerve supply. Sensation to the Facial bone comes from the facial nerve (CN V2), the second division of the trigeminal nerve. After leaving the skull through the foramen rotundum, it enters the pterygopalatine fossa and gives off several branches: the infraorbital nerve (its direct continuation, exiting at the infraorbital foramen to supply the lower eyelid, nose, cheek, and upper lip), the posterior, middle, and anterior superior alveolar nerves (supplying the upper molars, premolars, and incisors respectively, together with the sinus lining), and the greater palatine and nasopalatine nerves (supplying the hard palate).
Blood supply. Arterial supply comes mainly from branches of the Facial bony artery, a terminal branch of the external carotid artery. Its pterygopalatine segment gives rise to the posterior superior alveolar, infraorbital, descending palatine, and sphenopalatine arteries, which together supply the Facial bony teeth, sinus lining, palate, and lateral nasal wall.
Understanding this neurovascular network matters clinically: injury to the infraorbital nerve is a common cause of midface numbness after trauma, and awareness of the arterial arcade around the Facial bonery sinus helps surgeons minimize bleeding during sinus and dental procedures.
The Facial Bonery Sinus
The Facial bonery sinus, housed within the body of the Facial bone, is the largest of the four paranasal sinuses. It is pyramidal in shape, with its base forming part of the lateral nasal wall and its apex pointing toward the zygomatic process. It drains into the nasal cavity’s middle meatus through the maxillary bony ostium. Reported adult sinus volumes vary considerably between individuals, sex, and measurement method, so no single figure applies universally.
At birth, the sinus is very small, expanding considerably through childhood and adolescence as the face grows. Proposed functions of the paranasal sinuses include reducing skull weight and contributing to the conditioning (warming and humidifying) of inhaled air and to vocal resonance, though the precise physiological significance of the sinuses is still debated among anatomists.
Because the sinus floor sits close to the roots of the upper premolars and molars – sometimes separated by only a thin plate of bone – dental infections can spread into the sinus, and sinus infections can mimic tooth pain. This overlap is clinically important for both dentists and ENT specialists.
Functions of the Facial Bone
Mastication (Chewing)
The alveolar process anchors the upper teeth, giving the mandible’s teeth a fixed surface to grind against. Chewing forces are distributed through reinforced facial buttresses – most notably the nasomaxillary buttresses and zygomaticomaxillary buttresses – toward the cranial skeleton, which is why this region is dense enough to withstand repeated mechanical load throughout life.
Speech and Facial Expression
The facial bones anchor several muscles of facial expression, including the nasalis, levator labii superioris, levator labii superioris alaeque nasi, and levator anguli oris – muscles involved in lip movement, nostril dilation, and smiling. The volume and shape of the hard palate also influence how sound resonates during speech.
Breathing and Sinus Function
By forming the floor and part of the lateral wall of the nasal cavity, the Facial bone helps direct airflow and supports structures involved in filtering and conditioning inhaled air, with the Facial bonery sinus contributing to this process as outlined above.
Supporting the Orbit and Protecting Nerves
The Facial bone forms most of the orbital floor and transmits branches of the Facial bonery nerve, including the infraorbital nerve. Damage to this region – from trauma or surgery – can cause numbness across the cheek, upper lip, and side of the nose.
How the Facial Bone Develops
Facial development begins around the fourth week of gestation, when paired facial bones and mandibular prominences form from the first pharyngeal arch, alongside a single frontonasal prominence, around the primitive mouth. The maxillary bony prominences give rise to most of the Ffacial bones, the secondary palate, and the lateral parts of the upper lip, forming mainly through intramembranous ossification with a brief secondary cartilage contribution near the zygomatic process.
The secondary palate forms when the paired palatal shelves of the facial bones’ prominences rotate into a horizontal position and fuse at the midline, a process generally complete by the tenth to twelfth week of gestation. When this fusion fails, the result is a cleft palate, sometimes with an accompanying cleft lip.
Common Facial Bone Injuries and Conditions
Facial Bone Fractures
Because the facial bones connect to so many surrounding bones, fractures here rarely stay contained to one spot – they often extend into the nose, orbit, or cheekbone. Facial bone fractures are classified using the Le Fort system, based on fracture patterns first described in 1901:
- Le Fort I – a horizontal fracture separating the alveolar and palatine processes (with the teeth) from the rest of the Facial bone
- Le Fort II – a pyramidal fracture running from the nasal bridge through the frontal process, infraorbital margin, and maxillary bony sinus
- Le Fort III – craniofacial dissociation, separating the entire facial skeleton from the skull base via the zygomatic arches and orbital floors
Symptoms typically include facial swelling, bruising around the eyes, malocclusion (difficulty aligning the bite), nosebleeds, and – in more severe fractures involving the orbital floor – vision changes or facial numbness from nerve involvement. CT imaging is the standard method for confirming fracture pattern and guiding surgical planning. Recovery timelines vary considerably with severity and treatment approach and should be assessed individually by the treating surgeon; uncomplicated fractures generally heal faster than those requiring surgical fixation, with full functional recovery – including bite alignment and any nerve-related numbness – often trailing behind bone healing itself. Any patient with facial trauma and associated vision changes should seek urgent evaluation.
Sinus-Related Issues
Because the maxillary sinus floor sits so close to the tooth roots, infections can travel in either direction. Odontogenic sinusitis occurs when a dental infection spreads upward into the sinus, producing symptoms that resemble ordinary sinusitis – facial pressure, nasal congestion, tenderness – but which require dental rather than purely medical treatment to resolve.
Cleft Palate and Congenital Anomalies
When the palatal shelves of the two maxillary bony prominences fail to fuse completely, the result is a cleft palate, sometimes with a cleft lip. These conditions can affect feeding, speech development, and occasionally hearing, and are typically managed with a combination of surgical repair, speech therapy, and long-term dental care.
Facial bone vs. Mandible: Key Differences
| Feature | Facial bone | Mandible |
| Position | Upper jaw | Lower jaw |
| Mobility | Fixed | Mobile, via the temporomandibular joint |
| Number of bones | Paired, fused at the midline | Single, fused bone |
| Sinus | Contains the maxillary bony sinus | No sinus |
| Formation | Intramembranous ossification | Primarily intramembranous ossification adjacent to Meckel’s cartilage, with secondary cartilage contributing to specific regions such as the condyle |
| Fracture pattern | Often multi-bone (Le Fort fractures) | Typically localized to the angle, body, or condyle |
Why the Facial Bone Matters in Dentistry and Surgery
The Facial bone’s bone density and its proximity to the sinus directly influence treatment planning. Dental implants placed in the upper posterior teeth sometimes require a sinus-lift procedure when the maxillary sinus floor sits too close to the available bone, a common consequence of long-term tooth loss. The specific amount of bone height needed before a sinus lift is recommended varies by implant system, grafting technique, and individual anatomy, so this decision is made case by case by an oral surgeon or periodontist rather than following a single fixed rule.
In orthodontics, the width and growth pattern of the upper jaw affect bite alignment and palate shape. Palatal expansion is generally more predictable in younger patients before advanced skeletal maturation of the midpalatal suture; treatment options for skeletally mature patients – such as surgically assisted expansion – may differ. Understanding the Facial bone’s relationship to the temporomandibular joint and surrounding musculature also guides orthognathic surgery planning for patients with significant bite discrepancies.
Key Takeaways
- The Facial bone is a paired, pyramidal bone forming the upper jaw and the structural core of the midface.
- It consists of a body with four surfaces and four processes (frontal, zygomatic, palatine, alveolar), articulating with eight named bones plus the opposite Facial bone.
- It houses the maxillary sinus and transmits branches of the maxillary nerve (CN V2), including the infraorbital nerve.
- Its extensive articulations mean fractures often extend across multiple facial bones, classified using the Le Fort system.
- Its close relationship with the maxillary sinus creates a two-way link between dental and sinus health.
- Clinical procedures such as sinus lifts and palatal expansion depend directly on its anatomy and growth pattern, with treatment decisions made on an individual basis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the Maxillary bone and the Maxillary bonery sinus?
The Maxillary bone is the bone itself; the Maxillary bonery sinus is the air-filled cavity within its body. As the largest paranasal sinus, it drains into the nasal cavity through the Maxillary bonery ostium. It is very small at birth and enlarges through childhood, which is why sinus-related dental and ENT issues become more common with age rather than in early childhood.
Can you feel your maxillary bone?
Yes. It forms the bony ridge beneath your cheeks and around your nose, plus the hard portion of the palate just behind your upper front teeth. The alveolar process holding your upper teeth is also palpable through the gum tissue.
How long does it take for a maxillary bony fracture to heal?
It depends on severity and treatment approach, and should be assessed individually by the treating surgeon. Simple, non-surgical fractures generally heal faster than complex Le Fort fractures requiring surgical fixation, and full functional recovery – including bite alignment and resolution of any nerve-related numbness – often takes longer than the underlying bone healing itself.
Does the Maxillary bone grow after childhood?
It grows most actively during childhood and adolescence, largely finishing by the late teens to early twenties as the midpalatal suture and other growth sites mature. This is why interventions like palatal expansion tend to work best before advanced skeletal maturity.
What nerve provides sensation to the Maxillary bone?
The maxillary nerve (CN V2), the second division of the trigeminal nerve, supplies the upper jaw, teeth, and midface. Its infraorbital branch is especially relevant clinically, since it is commonly affected in orbital floor fractures and certain dental procedures, and injury can cause cheek, lip, and nasal numbness.
Why does a maxillary sinus infection sometimes feel like a toothache?
The floor of the maxillary sinus sits very close to – sometimes just a thin bony plate away from – the roots of the upper molars and premolars. Sinus inflammation can therefore produce pain that feels dental in origin, which is why clinicians sometimes rule out sinus involvement before treating upper-back-tooth pain with no obvious cause.
What causes a cleft palate in the Maxillary bone?
A cleft palate results when the palatal shelves of the two maxillary bones fail to fuse at the midline during fetal development, a process normally completed by around the tenth to twelfth week of pregnancy. The cause is usually multifactorial, involving genetic predisposition alongside environmental factors such as maternal nutrition or certain medication exposures.
Is the Maxillary bone one bone or two?
It consists of two separate maxillary bones fused at the median maxillary suture, though they are commonly referred to together as “the Maxillary bone” in clinical and everyday language.
What is a sinus lift, and why is it related to the Maxillary bone?
A sinus lift is a surgical procedure that adds bone to the posterior Maxillary bone by elevating the floor of the Maxillary bone’s sinus, typically performed before placing dental implants in patients with reduced bone height in this region. The need for the procedure and the amount of bone added depend on individual anatomy and implant planning rather than a single universal measurement.
Can a fractured Maxillary bone affect vision?
Yes, particularly in fractures involving the orbital floor that the Maxillary bone helps form. Vision changes can result from swelling, nerve injury, or entrapment of the eye muscles at the fracture site. Facial trauma accompanied by vision changes, double vision, or restricted eye movement requires urgent medical evaluation.
