Maxilla (arthropod mouthpart)
![In this malacostracan crustacean diagram, the maxillae are labelled maxilla and maxillula.](/Images/godic/202501/15/General_malacostracan_en.svg3627.png")
![A diagram of the anatomy of the maxillae in centipedes](/Images/godic/202501/15/lossy-page1-220px-Centipede.tiff3627.jpg")
![Diagram of a single maxillae from the cockroach Periplaneta americana showing the anatomy and musculature](/Images/godic/202501/15/lossless-page1-220px-Maxilla.tiff3627.png")
In arthropods, the maxillae are paired structures present on the head as mouthparts in members of the clade Mandibulata, used for tasting and manipulating food. Embryologically, the maxillae are derived from the 4th and 5th segment of the head and the maxillary palps; segmented appendages extending from the base of the maxilla represent the former leg of those respective segments. In most cases, two pairs of maxillae are present and in different arthropod groups the two pairs of maxillae have been variously modified.