What is the term for the upper jaw arch?

What is the term for the upper jaw arch?

• A. Mandibular arch
• B. Palatal arch
• C. Maxillary arch
• D. Upper dental arch

Answer: (C)

In dental anatomy, the upper jaw and its teeth form the maxillary arch. The word maxillary comes from the maxilla, the bone that makes up the upper jaw, so the maxillary arch is the standard, precise term for the curved row of teeth in the upper jaw. The lower jaw’s counterpart is the mandibular arch, which describes the lower arch. A palatal arch usually refers to a palate-related structure or a space-maintaining appliance, not the upper dental arch itself. Saying upper dental arch is understandable but less precise than maxillary arch.

In dental anatomy, the upper jaw and its teeth form the maxillary arch. The word maxillary comes from the maxilla, the bone that makes up the upper jaw, so the maxillary arch is the standard, precise term for the curved row of teeth in the upper jaw. The lower jaw’s counterpart is the mandibular arch, which describes the lower arch. A palatal arch usually refers to a palate-related structure or a space-maintaining appliance, not the upper dental arch itself. Saying upper dental arch is understandable but less precise than maxillary arch.