Sagittal Growth of the Nasomaxillary Complex during the Second Trimester of Human Prenatal Development

Abstract

Changes in size, shape, and proportion of the nasomaxillary region have been measured in human fetuses representing the fourth through sixth month of development. For this a series of linear and angular measurements of the cranial base, nasal septum, and palatal regions were made. The data were related to crown-rump length and subjected to group statistical analyses to demonstrate growth trends of the upper face. The data suggest that several distinct patterns of nasomaxillary growth may exist during the period studied. First, angular relationships between contiguous areas of the nasomaxillary region show no significant changes with increasing crown-rump length. Second, linear measurements of the cranial base, nasal septum, and palate are correlated with crown-rump length. Third, the directional growth pattern of the upper face exhibits a downward and forward growth away from the anterior cranial base and sella turcica.