Human palatal growth evaluated on medieval crania using nerve canal openings as references

The purpose of this investigation was to measure postnatal lengthening and widening of the hard palate by use of nerve canal openings as references. The relationship of the dentition to the greater palatine foramina was also investigated. Thirty-nine medieval dry skulls were examined, 22 from children and 17 from adults. All crania were photographed at a 1:1 scale. The dimensions of the maxilla and the location of the dentition were determined from the photographs. The study showed that palatal growth in length in the sagittal plane takes place anterior to the greater palatine foramen. The growth increment in the area between the incisive foramen and the transverse palatine suture is more pronounced than the growth increment in the area between the transverse palatine suture and the greater palatine foramen. The distance from the greater palatine foramina to the posterior margin of the palate did not increase significantly with age. The growth in width seems to continue into adult life. The first permanent molars and the surrounding bone are moved forwards in relation to the greater palatine foramina during growth. The space for the developing maxillary premolars and molars therefore has to be obtained by growth in the transverse palatine suture. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

New ways to go—nasal floor structures as channelling system for vomeronasal stimuli in the shrew (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Sorex araneus</Emphasis>, Mammalia)

The mammalian lateral nasal gland (LNG, also called Steno’s gland) is known to be one source of so-called odorant-binding proteins, which are suggested to work as vehicles to carry chemosensory stimuli within the nasal cavity in order to guide them to olfactory and vomeronasal sensory neurons. Up to now, a largely unattended and unanswered question is how the secretions of the LNG migrate between the glandular opening at the upper edge of the anterior lateral nasal wall and the more caudally located vomeronasal organ. In order to address this issue, the functional morphology of the rostral nasal cavity of Sorex araneus was investigated histologically. Special interest was laid on the opening region of the LNG in the vestibular region of the nose and its topological connection to a hitherto largely unnoticed nasal concha, the atrioturbinate. It appears that the atrioturbinate serves as a specialised channel that directs the secretions of the LNG pointedly towards the entrance of the vomeronasal organ. In addition, it was observed that—contrary to previous reports—the LNG in Sorex araneus is anatomically clearly separated from the maxillary sinus gland and does not invade the maxillary sinus.     

Skull growth and the presence of auxiliary fontanels in rhinolophoid bats (Microchiroptera)

 Cephalometry was used to detect patterns of cranial growth in fetal bats that have been differentially stained for bone and cartilage. Rhinolophoid bats exhibit elaborate nasal cavities with coincidental distortions of the maxilla. The expansion of these cavities creates paired auxiliary fontanels among the nasal, maxillary, and frontal bones. This distortion of the rostrum is also associated with the loss of the lacrimal bones and the modification of the infraorbital foramen into a shallow canal. The use of the head as an acoustical horn is discussed with reference to the ontogeny of echolocation. Accepted: 12 October 1996     

Contribution to the taxonomic status of the Chinese rats Niviventer confucianus and N. fulvescens

The status of Niviventer confucianus and N. fulvescens as separate species or color variants of the same species has been debated for a long time. A detailed study of 157 specimens (119 N. confucianus and 34 N. fulvescens) collected 1937/1938 in Fukien, South East China, was conducted in order to shed more light on the taxonomic status of the two taxa. Because all measured skull parameters strongly correlate with age, age classes were formed on the basis of tooth wear. Student's t-tests for differences between N. confucianus and N. fulvescens were performed using age-independent unstandardized residuals. These were derived from linear regressions of each measured parameter against age class. Statistical significant differences between the taxa were revealed in residuals based on interorbital constriction, length and width of incisive foramen, length of bulla, diastema, width of rostrum and width of nasal. Discriminant analysis using the unstandardized residuals shows a clear separation between N. confucianus and N. fulvescens on the basis of the first discriminant function mainly influenced by interorbital width and length of incisive foramen. Additionally, qualitative morphological differences in the skulls are described, concerning the anterior rim of the zygomatic plate, the mandible and the maxillary teeth. The differences in outer morphology including the brighter, more reddish and more shiny pelage of N. fulvescens, white tail tip occurring in N. confucianus only, the relatively longer tail in N. confucianus, and the higher frequency of a fulvous marking on the chest in N. confucianus are supported.     

经口咽入路行枕骨大孔扩大术的解剖学基础研究

目的：对枕骨斜坡骨性结构及周围毗邻关系的解剖学测量,为经口咽入路行枕骨大孔扩大术提供详尽的解剖学数据及理论依据。方法：①选取成人干燥颅骨标本40例,分别测量斜坡颅底内面、颅底外面的长度;斜坡咽结节处宽度、斜坡最小厚度、中部厚度和最大厚度;斜坡与水平面的夹角;颈动脉管外口内缘、颈静脉孔内外口内缘、破裂孔内外口内缘、舌下神经内外口内缘、寰枕关节内缘与斜坡中线的距离。②选取完整头颈部标本20例,观察斜坡与周围血管神经的毗邻关系。结果：①斜坡颅底内面长（40.1±2.5）mm,外面长（28.2±3.1）mm;斜坡中部宽度（18.8±2.5）mm,;最小厚度（6.8±2.3）mm,;中部厚度（9.8±2.2）mm,最大厚度（11.5±1.7）mm;咽结节至枕骨大孔前缘距离（12.8±1.5）mm。②斜坡与水平面的夹角（46.8±4.5）°。③颈动脉管外口内缘距离斜坡中线（26.1±3.1）mm,颈静脉孔内口内缘距离斜坡中线（21.8±2.5）mm,颈静脉孔外口内缘距离斜坡中线（25.1±2.7）mm,破裂孔内口内缘距离斜坡中线（10.5±2.9）mm,破裂孔外口内缘距离斜坡中线（11.8±2.5）mm,舌下神经管内口内缘距离斜坡中线（13.8±2.3）mm,舌下神经管外口内缘距离斜坡中线（21.1±2.3）mm,寰枕关节内缘距离斜坡中线（10.5±2.3）mm。④斜坡上部距离后方基底动脉（7.6±1.0）mm,距离后方脑桥（8.3±1.2）mm,斜坡中部距离后方延髓脑桥沟（13.5±1.7）mm,斜坡下部距离后方延髓（6.5±0.8）mm。⑤斜坡上部与后方硬脑膜之间间隙为（1.8±0.2）mm,斜坡中部与后方硬脑膜之间间隙为（1.3±0.1）mm,斜坡下部与后方硬脑、脊膜之间间隙为（1.3±0.1）mm。⑥在斜坡开骨窗的宽度为20mm,高度为15mm,深度为6mm,可以满足经口咽入路枕骨大孔扩大术的要求,并有可靠的安全性。结论：本研究通过对斜坡骨性结构及周围毗邻关系的测量与观察,为临床斜坡区手术提供解剖学数据。     

Anatomy and phylogenetic value of the mandibular and coronoid canals and their associated foramina in proboscideans (Mammalia)

Characters associated with the mandibular canal are differently distributed amongst proboscidean lineages and provide useful information on the systematics and relationships of proboscideans. The aim of this paper is to describe the pattern of the mandibular canal and its associated foramina in proboscideans in order to fully appreciate the extent of interspecific variation of these structures within the group and to discuss its systematic and phylogenetic value. Outgroup comparison indicates that the condition presented by the basal proboscidean Phosphatherium is morphotypic for proboscideans. Primitive proboscidean characters are: the low position of the mandibular foramen, and its crescent‐shaped outline, the occurrence of a coronoid foramen (canal), the occurrence of two lateral mental foramina, the posterior one at the level of (or slightly behind) the posterior margin of the symphysis, the anterior one in a more distal position, the absence of a medial mental foramen (MMF), the mandibular canal set just below the tooth row. The occurrence of a single lateral mental foramen may represent a shared derived character of Daouitherium, Numidotherium, and Barytherium. A unique derived feature of the Elephantinae mandible is the occurrence of a medial mental foramen on the medial side of the incisive part of the mandible. MMFs have never been observed in other proboscideans excluding elephantines. The very high frequency of MMFs observed in Mammuthus meridionalis–Mammuthus trogontherii–Mammuthus primigenius (>93 per cent of the studied specimens) could be considered a synapomorphy of this group. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 161 , 391–413.     

门齿孔位置在中国古人类化石与现代人群的表现及其演化意义

魏敦瑞在研究周口店北京直立人化石时发现,位于上颌骨硬腭表面的门齿孔位置在周口店标本靠后,而在现代人靠近齿槽。此后,门齿孔位置作为具有演化意义的形态特征被用于古人类学研究。迄今,对门齿孔位置在中国古人类化石表现的专门研究仅有周口店一件标本,而在现代中国人的数据尚属空白。鉴于此,本文对门齿孔位置在中国古人类化石以及现代中国人标本进行了观察、测量和数据统计。在此基础上,结合世界其他地区古人类数据资料,本文对门齿孔位置在中国古人类化石的表现特点及其演化意义进行了探讨。本研究发现,从更新世早期到更新世晚期,门齿孔位置在中国古人类呈现由后向前的总体变化趋势。更新世早期和中期直立人（郧县曲远河口、周口店）的门齿孔位置都比较靠后;中更新世晚期的部分中国古人类（大荔、长阳、华龙洞）的门齿孔位置前移,并与现代人接近,而金牛山和巢县门齿孔位置比较靠后,位于直立人范围;在更新世晚期,所有中国古人类都比较靠前,位于现代人变异范围。本文对现代人标本的观测显示,门齿孔位置在现代中国人比较靠前。现代人门齿孔大小及形态存在较大变异,这种表现特点在一定程度上影响对门齿孔位置及演化意义的判定。几乎全部现代人标本门齿孔前缘呈开放状态,门齿管从开口处的门齿孔向后上方呈不同程度倾斜走向。这一发现与魏敦瑞提出的现代人门齿管垂直走向的观点不同。综合本文采集的中国古人类化石、现代中国人标本门齿孔位置数据,以及世界其他地区古人类门齿孔位置数据资料,我们认为门齿孔位置在人类演化过程中呈现较规律的变化,门齿孔位置靠后应该是一项相对原始的特征。     

不同手术方式治疗慢性鼻-鼻窦炎对上颌窦黏膜纤毛传输功能的影响

目的:比较不同手术方式治疗慢性鼻-鼻窦炎的疗效及其对上颌窦黏膜纤毛传输功能的影响,为临床制定治疗慢性鼻-鼻窦炎的优选术式提供参考依据。方法:选取2013年9月-2014年12月于本院耳鼻咽喉科就诊的160例确诊为慢性鼻-鼻窦炎的患者作为研究对象,将其随机分为4组,分别为治疗组1~4,每组各60例。治疗组1接受上颌窦自然开口扩大术,治疗组2接受上颌窦开窗术,治疗组3接受经泪前隐窝上颌窦开放术,治疗组4接受上颌窦口球囊扩张术。观察和比较4组患者的术后鼻腔黏膜的覆盖、水肿、囊泡形成、骨质暴露、瘢痕形成等情况,上颌窦窦腔内分泌物性状、蓄积情况以及术后3个月和6个月时行上颌窦腔糖精实验及窦口周黏膜活检情况。结果:四组手术后均取得较好临床疗效,而组4的临床总有效率显著高于其他三组(均P0.05)。术后3、6个月,组4Lund-Kennedy评分和MMT时间均明显低于其他三组(均P0.05);在上颌窦黏膜活检方面:术后炎性细胞数量及状细胞和黏膜下腺体细胞形态及黏膜下结构水肿改善程度亦在中组四最为显著(P0.05)。结论:上颌窦窦球囊扩张术治疗慢性鼻-鼻窦炎疗效较高,可有效改善状细胞和黏膜下腺体细胞形态及鼻窦黏膜水肿、窦口通畅引流等作用,且安全性高。     

Correlated appearance of ossification and nerve tissue in human fetal jaws.

The factors initiating the onset of desmal jaw formation are not known. The purpose of the present report was to examine the correlation between the appearance of ossification and nerve tissue in human fetal jaws. This was done through elaboration of similarities in occurrence of tissue types at four different sites of initial bone formation in the jaws. Radiological and histochemical methods applied to the jaws of 26 human embryos/fetuses revealed that nerve tissue appeared in the jaws before bone tissue. Early bone formation occurred in close relation to the mandibular nerve, the maxillary nerve, the palatine nerve, and the naso-palatine nerve. It is suggested that the foramina (mental foramen, infraorbital foramen, palatal foramen, and incisive foramen) are the areas of incipient bone formation, and that the sequence in bone formation corresponds to the sequence in the development of nerve fibers from the trigeminal ganglion.     

Evaluation of 3-Dimensional Superimposition Techniques on Various Skeletal Structures of the Head Using Surface Models

ObjectivesTo test the applicability, accuracy, precision, and reproducibility of various 3D superimposition techniques for radiographic data, transformed to triangulated surface data.MethodsFive superimposition techniques (3P: three-point registration; AC: anterior cranial base; AC + F: anterior cranial base + foramen magnum; BZ: both zygomatic arches; 1Z: one zygomatic arch) were tested using eight pairs of pre-existing CT data (pre- and post-treatment). These were obtained from non-growing orthodontic patients treated with rapid maxillary expansion. All datasets were superimposed by three operators independently, who repeated the whole procedure one month later. Accuracy was assessed by the distance (D) between superimposed datasets on three form-stable anatomical areas, located on the anterior cranial base and the foramen magnum. Precision and reproducibility were assessed using the distances between models at four specific landmarks. Non parametric multivariate models and Bland-Altman difference plots were used for analyses.ResultsThere was no difference among operators or between time points on the accuracy of each superimposition technique (p>0.05). The AC + F technique was the most accurate (D<0.17 mm), as expected, followed by AC and BZ superimpositions that presented similar level of accuracy (D<0.5 mm). 3P and 1Z were the least accurate superimpositions (0.79<D<1.76 mm, p<0.005). Although there was no difference among operators or between time points on the precision of each superimposition technique (p>0.05), the detected structural changes differed significantly between different techniques (p<0.05). Bland-Altman difference plots showed that BZ superimposition was comparable to AC, though it presented slightly higher random error.ConclusionsSuperimposition of 3D datasets using surface models created from voxel data can provide accurate, precise, and reproducible results, offering also high efficiency and increased post-processing capabilities. In the present study population, the BZ superimposition was comparable to AC, with the added advantage of being applicable to scans with a smaller field of view.     

Skull of Catopithecus browni,an early tertiary catarrhine

Fossil crania from quarry L-41, Fayum, Egypt, representing Catopithecus browni, a primate similar in size to callitrichids but with a catarrhine dental formula, provide the geologically earliest record of an anthropoidean skull. Catopithecus had postorbital closure developed to the stage seen in extant anthropoideans, with direct contact between zygomatic plate and maxillary tuber, isolating an anterior orbital fissure from the inferior orbital fissure. The auditory region also resembles that of later anthropoideans: The posterior carotid foramen is placed adjacent to the jugular fossa; a large promontory canal crosses the promontorium; and the annular ectotympanic is fused ventrally to the bulla. The incisors and canines show an assemblage of features found only among modern anthropoideans and adapoids. The face is characterized by a relatively deep maxilla, broad ascending wing of the premaxilla, and long nasal bones, yielding a moderate muzzle similar to that of Aegyptopithecus. The small braincase bears an anteriorly broad frontal trigon and a posteriorly developed sagittal crest. The mandibular symphysis is unfused even in mature adults. The encephalization quotient (EQ) probably falls within the range of Eocene prosimians, much lower than the EQs of Neogene anthropoideans. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

An analysis of Le Fort I maxillary advancement in cleft lip and palate patients.

We present a series of 24 consecutive cleft lip and palate patients aged 16 to 46 years (mean age 27 years) who underwent Le Fort I maxillary advancement by the senior author over the past 8 years. Two groups, one of 12 patients with wire fixation and one of 12 patients with miniplate fixation, were evaluated. Each group had 10 unilateral and 2 bilateral clefts. All patients were grafted with autogenous bone (8 cranial, 14 iliac, and 2 mandibular). Horizontal advancement was 3 mm to 2 cm (with a mean of 7.8 mm). Vertical movement ranged from a shortening of 5 mm to a lengthening of 1.3 cm (mean 2.3 mm of lengthening). The amount and timing of relapse were compared in both the horizontal and vertical dimensions. The plated group was more stable in both the horizontal and vertical dimensions (p < 0.05). No significant skeletal relapses occurred after the first year. Statistically significant dental relapse occurred only in the wired group. Three patients developed transverse collapse of the small maxillary cleft segment, and four developed incisor angulation to compensate for maxillary skeletal relapse. The presence of a pharyngeal flap at the time of advancement appeared to increase relapse in both horizontal and vertical dimensions (p < 0.03), but there were too few patients (7 of 24) with pharyngeal flaps to prove this conclusively. We also concluded that pterygomandibular grafting is not necessary to achieve excellent results using miniplate fixation; autogenous grafting of the anterior maxillary osteotomy alone provides the necessary stability.     

First Description of the Auditory Region of a Tremarctinae (Ursidae,Mammalia) Bear: The Case of Arctotherium angustidens

Here we present the first detailed morphological study of the auditory region of a tremarctine bear, the South American giant short-faced bear Arctotherium angustidens. We compared 19 specimens of A. angustidens with other tremarctines and ursines. Through the use of CT scans, we confirmed the presence of a recesus epitympanicus and an anterior incomplete septum of uncertain homology, not related with the septum bullae nor with the longitudinal septum formed by the ecto- and the entotympanic. A secondary crus formed by the lateral semicircular canal (LSC) with the posterior semicircular canal (PSC) of the inner ear was observed in A. angustidens, A. bonariense, Tremarctos ornatus, Ursus spelaeus, and Ursus arctos. This secondary crus was not previously reported for ursids. We also observed that the intraspecific variation in the auditory region of A. angustidens is related to 1) the position of the foramen postglenoideum, 2) the anterior projection of the bulla tympanica over the foramen lacerum and over the opening of the Eustachian tube (medial process of the bulla tympanica), and 3) the projection of the bulla tympanica over the posterior surface of the processus postglenoideus (tympanic process). In addition to this variation, we also identified the presence of interspecific variation in the external auditory region among Tremarctinae and Ursidae. These differences are related to the size of the processus mastoideus and the processus paraoccipitalis, the position of the foramen postglenoideum, and the presence/absence of contact between the bulla tympanica and the processus paraoccipitalis.     

人工骨表面覆盖口腔修复膜对颌骨囊性缺损人工骨植入术患者植入腔感染的预防作用

目的:探讨人工骨表面覆盖口腔修复膜对颌骨囊性缺损人工骨植入术患者植入腔感染的预防作用。方法:将我院2012年4月～2016年2月收治的78例颌骨囊性缺损患者按治疗时间分为对照组38例与观察组40例,均行开窗人工骨植入术,其中对照组采取常规抗感染,观察组采取人工骨表面覆盖口腔修复膜。比较两组的囊腔体积、面积缩减率、人工骨植入量、骨厚度及植入腔感染率。结果:两组的囊腔体积、面积缩减率及人工骨植入量比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。但观察组的骨厚度明显大于对照组(P0.05),植入腔感染率明显低于对照组(P0.05)。结论:在开窗人工骨植入术的基础上使用口腔修复膜不仅能引导骨组织再生,而且能够显著降低植入腔的感染率。     

Assessment of the risk of perforation of the mandibular canal by implant drill using density and thickness parameters

Gerodontology 2009; doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2009.00362.x
Assessment of the risk of perforation of the mandibular canal by implant drill using density and thickness parameters Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate whether the resistance of the bone surrounding the mandibular canal had sufficient density and thickness to avoid perforation by drills when preparing the bed of the implant. Background: Damage to the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) is more common than expected. This injury may lead to serious complications ranging from mild paresthesia to total anaesthesia of the lower jaw. Materials and methods: The CT images of 99 patients, whose ages ranged between 20 and 79 years, and who applied for an implant application to the posterior aspect of the mandible were included in this study. Results: The overall average bone thickness in the premolar and molar regions was 0.8717 ± 0.1818 and 0.8556 ± 0.1756 mm, respectively, whereas the bone density in the premolar and molar regions was 649.18 ± 241.42 and 584.44 ± 222.73 Hounsfield Units (HU), respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusion: It was determined that the average density and thickness of the bone that surrounds the mandibular canal was not sufficient to resist the implant drill. It can be concluded that the risk of injury to the IAN may be minimised by accurately determining the bone mass on the canal prior to the implant procedure, and avoiding excessive force when approaching the canal.     

A clinical and anatomical study of the location of the mental foramen in adult Chinese mandibles

One hundred mandibles of adult Chinese cadavers of both sexes without missing teeth, alveolar bone resorption and malposition of teeth were studied. The anatomical location of each mandibular mental foramen was measured by using a combination of three previous methods. Our results showed that the location of the mental foramen below the apex of the lower second premolar (relation IV: 58.98%) was the most common. On average, the distance between the most anterior portion of the anterior border of the mental foramen and the mandibular symphysis was 28.06 mm, between the most anterior portion of the anterior border of the mental foramen and the posterior border of the ramus 74.14 mm, between the inferior border of the mental foramen and the lower border of the mandibular body 14.70 mm, between the superior border of the mental foramen and the bottom of the lower second premolar socket 2.50 mm. The distance across the mental foramen between the alveolar crest and the lower border of the mandibular body was 30.29 mm. Our results were compared with those of other investigators. The significance of identifying the anatomical location of the mental foramen in dental practice is discussed.     

Ethmoidal endocranium in primitive triassic amphibians

Three-dimensionally preserved and chemically prepared skulls and natural casts of representatives of the families Benthosuchidae, Melosauridae, and Capitosauridae yield data on the structure of the ethmoidal endocranium, i. e. of those nasal cranial structures that consisted originally of cartilage. This study demonstrates that the ethmoidal endocranium was principally a dorsoventrally compressed plate, pierced by a broad and oblique canal which communicated anteriorly with the outer dorsal surface by the fenestra endonarina and posteriorly with the mouth cavity by the fenestra endochoanalis(seu foris). The canal was very short, and housed the olfactory organ. The ethmoidal endocranium was connected with the palatoquadrate by the commissura quadratocranialis anterior; there was no lateral ethmoidal commissure, however, in older individuals the anterior section of the palatoquadrate might also contact the postchoanal part of the nasal endocranial skeleton.     

Functional reconstruction of maxilla with free latissimus dorsi-scapular osteomusculocutaneous flap

Restoration of oral and nasal function together with facial appearance is still challenging in maxillary reconstruction. Use of a composite flap transfer merely to fill the defect results in unsatisfactory functional and aesthetic outcomes. The authors present a reconstructive procedure for complex maxillary defects using the latissimus dorsi-scapular rib osteomusculocutaneous flap. Some modifications for the reconstruction of the nasal cavity and the hard palate contributed to excellent postoperative functions. Five cases of extended maxillary defect were reconstructed using a novel procedure between February of 1997 and October of 2000. The hard palate was reconstructed with a vascularized scapular angle. The infraorbital rim was reconstructed with a vascularized rib if it was required. A prop bone graft, replacing the zygomatic buttress, was added between the infraorbital rim and the hard palate. The latissimus dorsi muscle flap, which was supported by a skeletal framework and obliterated the remaining cavities around the bone grafts, was left exposed into the nasal cavity, and an 8-French (no. 10) nasal airway tube was placed as a stent in the nasal meatus for 3 weeks after surgery. A skin graft was applied on the scapular angle to reconstruct the oral side of the hard palate. If required, facial skin defect was repaired with a latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap or scapular flap. No major complications at the recipient or the donor sites occurred postoperatively in any of the five cases. In cases in which the eyeballs were preserved, almost normal facial appearance was obtained and an orbital extirpation case showed an acceptable postoperative appearance. All five patients returned to an unrestricted diet and their speech was assessed as normal by a speech test. Nasal breathing through the re-epithelialized meatus was possible in all cases. The reconstructed nasal cavity was maintained for more than 6 months in all cases and for more than 2 years in one early case. Rhinometry demonstrated normal function, and histologic findings of the re-epithelialized mucosa over the muscle flap in the nasal cavity revealed a nearly normal architecture. This technique simplifies the reconstructive procedure of massive maxillary defects, including those in the lateral wall of the nasal cavity. It also improves the postoperative oral and nasal functions of the patients.     

Morphogenetic experiments in facial asymmetry: the nasal cavity

An experiment was designed to test the response of the nasal cavity and associated structures to maxillary deformity. Forty young M. mulatta were surgically produced in 20 animals, and the small maxillary segments moved medialward. Intrapair observation tests were applied to selected measurements and indices of symmetry relationships. Deformity of the surgically undisturbed nasal septum occurred in response to the maxillary deformation. The lateral walls were moved medially with the maxilla, but in six months symmetry relationships were similar to those found in the control animals. The lateral walls of the nasal cavity appeared to be relatively independent of the shape and position of the tooth carrying part of the maxilla. The development and use of primate models can contribute to understanding the extent of the adaptational response systems in facial morphogenesis.