Maxilla, Posterior View

Description

Posteriorly, the maxilla is presented with emphasis on its medial articulation to the perpendicular plate of the palatine bone, forming the posterior part of the lateral nasal wall and the bony boundary of the choana. Along the inferior aspect, the horizontal plate of the palatine bone aligns with the palatine process of the maxilla to complete the hard palate, while the maxillary tuberosity sits posterolateral to the last molar region. Medially, the opening of the maxillary hiatus region is approached in profile by this view, with the posterior nasal spine and adjacent palatine crest providing midline orientation. Attention to the posterior maxilla matters when teaching the anatomy of the pterygopalatine region and posterior nasal cavity, where small bony relationships define surgical corridors and neurovascular pathways. This perspective clarifies how the palatine bone buttresses the maxilla behind the maxillary sinus and why posterior maxillary fractures can propagate into the hard palate or disrupt the choanal margin. A common clinical anchor is posterior maxillary osteotomy work for Le Fort I approaches, where the pterygomaxillary junction and nearby structures demand a clear mental map. Use this illustration in gross anatomy and head and neck dentistry courses to support instruction on the hard palate, choanae, and posterior maxillary landmarks, and in ENT or oral and maxillofacial surgery materials covering Le Fort osteotomies and posterior maxillary fracture patterns. It also suits radiology teaching when correlating posterior bony margins on CT of the paranasal sinuses and nasal cavity. Anatomical accuracy verified by SciePro's Medical Advisory Board.