View source for Alveolar process of maxilla

{{Infobox Bone |
  Name         = Alveolar process |
  Latin        = processus alveolaris maxillae |
  GraySubject  = 38 |
  Image        = Gray157.png |
  GrayPage     = 161 |
  Caption      = Left [[maxilla]]. Outer surface. (Alveolar process visible at bottom.) |
  Image2       = Gray853.jpg |
  Caption2     = Cartilages of the nose, seen from below. (Alveolar process of [[maxilla]] visible at bottom. |
  System       = |
  MeshName     = |
  MeshNumber   = |
  DorlandsPre  = p_34 |
  DorlandsSuf  = 12667282  |
}}
{{SI}}



==Overview==

The '''alveolar process''' is the thickened ridge of [[bone]] that contains the [[tooth socket]]s on bones that bear [[tooth|teeth]]. It is also referred to as the '''alveolar bone'''. In humans, the tooth-bearing bones are the [[maxilla]] and the [[mandible]]. 

On the maxilla, the alveolar process is a ridge on the [[Anatomical position#Transverse plane|inferior]] surface, and on the [[mandible]] it is a ridge on the [[Anatomical position#Transverse plane|superior]] surface.  It makes up the thickest part of the maxilla.  

The [[buccinator muscle]] attaches to the alveolar processes of both the maxilla and mandible.

<div align="left">
<gallery heights="175" widths="175">
Image:Mandibular right premolar.jpg|This [[radiograph|X-ray film]] reveals some bone loss in the lower right [[mandible]].  The associated teeth exhibit poor [[crown-to-root ratio]]s and may be subject to [[occlusal trauma|secondary occlusal trauma]].
</gallery>
</div>

==See also==
* [[dental alveolus]]

== References ==
* Cate, A.R. Ten. Oral Histology: development, structure, and function. 5th ed. 1998. ISBN 0-8151-2952-1.
* Gray, Henry. ''Anatomy of the Human Body.'' (1918). ISBN 1-58734-102-6
* "Process, alveolar." ''Stedman's Medical Dictionary, 27th ed.'' (2000). ISBN 0-683-40007-X

==External links==
* {{eMedicineDictionary|alveolar+process}}
* {{WaynesburgAnatomicModel|skeleton/alveolarprocess}}
* {{RocheLexicon|34256.000-1}}
* [http://orthodontics.case.edu/facialgrowth/html/gofmand1.htm Diagram at case.edu]


{{Periodontology}}
{{Facial bones}}

[[Category:Skeletal system]]

[[Category:Dentistry]]
[[Category:Head and neck]]
[[Category:Skull]]
[[Category:Mouth]]
[[Category:Teeth]]
	
[[fr:Os alvéolaire]]
[[hu:Fogmedernyúlvány]]

{{WikiDoc Help Menu}}
{{WS}}