Growth and development of the craniofacial skeleton

This chapter discusses the growth and development of the craniofacial skeleton. Craniofacial defects include cleft lip and cleft palate, jaw deformities, dental anomalies, ossification defects of the facial and cranial bones, too wide or narrow spacing between the eyes, facial asymmetry, and fetal alcohol syndrome. The comparison of neonate and adult skulls demonstrates the differential effects of development and growth. The cranial vault dominates fetal, neonatal, and early childhood skulls. The head is divisible into three regions: the upper face, the mid-face, and the lower face. These three cranial regions follow different growth patterns, and they are not discrete entities. The maldevelopment of one region variably affects that of others. This hinders evaluation of the factors influencing craniofacial form. The chapter discusses the factors influencing craniofacial development. The craniofacial development is characterized by the occlusal relationships between the maxillary and mandibular teeth. The chondrocranium also plays an important role in craniofacial development and growth.