1. Plural of premaxillary; bones or tooth-bearing structures located in front of the maxilla (upper jaw) in vertebrates, particularly fish and reptiles.
Usage: anatomy; zoology; technical

Examples

• The fish's premaxillaries are highly mobile and help it capture prey.
• In many reptiles, the premaxillaries form the anterior portion of the upper jaw.
• The dentition of the premaxillaries differs from that of the maxillary bones.
• Paleontologists examined the premaxillaries of the fossil skull to identify the species.
• The premaxillaries in this fish species are elongated and project forward.