Maxilla (arthropod mouthpart)

They serve to transport food to the mandibles but also frequently help in the filtration process and additionally they may sometimes play a role in cleaning and grooming.

[5][page needed] The generalized condition in hexapods is for the first pair of maxillae to consist of a basal triangular sclerite called the cardo and a large central sclerite called the stipes from which arise three processes: the lacinia, the galea and the maxillary palp.

[6][page needed] The galea is a broad, scoop-like, lobe structure, which assists the maxillary palps in sampling items before ingestion.

The prementum has a pair of labial palps laterally, and two broad soft lobes called the paraglossae medially.

In many hexapods, the mouthparts have been modified for different functions and the maxillae and labium can change in structure greatly.

In the order Hemiptera, the true bugs, plant hoppers, etc., the mouthparts have been modified to form a beak for piercing.

In Odonata nymphs, the labium forms a mask-like extensible structure, which is used for reaching out and grasping prey.