Which arch refers to the upper jaw?

• A. Mandibular arch
• B. Palatal arch
• C. Maxillary arch
• D. Buccal arch

Answer: (C)

Think of dental arches as the curved rows that hold the teeth in each jaw. The upper jaw is built around the maxilla, so the arch that contains the upper teeth is called the maxillary arch. The lower jaw corresponds to the mandible, making the lower dental arch the mandibular arch. Terms like palatal arch describe structures on the roof of the mouth or orthodontic devices on the palate, not the upper jaw’s arch itself, and buccal arch isn’t standard terminology for describing the jaw arches. Therefore, the arch associated with the upper jaw is the maxillary arch.