Rabbit Snout Gro+wth: Effect of Injury to Septovomeral Region

Abstract

Introduction and Review of Literature The septovomeral region is considered an important growth center of the nose and adjacent facial structures.^1-4 The purpose of this experiment was to study the effects of injury to the septovomeral region upon the growth of the rabbit snout. Different degrees of injury were imposed by extirpating varying amounts of the septovomeral joint, caudal portion of the cartilaginous nasal septum, vomer, and maxillary process of the premaxilla. Fisk,⁵ in 1858, removed a portion of the septum through a trephine opening of the nasal bones in growing dogs, cats, pigs, and goats. At autopsy, he found that the hard palate was markedly shortened anteroposteriorly. He concluded that growth of the hard palate was dependent upon the growth of the nasal septum. Landsberger,⁶ in 1929, resected in part the anterior portion of the septum in dogs 2 weeks of age. After 6 months, the