GROWTH OF THE MAXILLA AND MOLARIFORM TEETH IN CATTLE

This paper is aimed at an analysis of the dynamics of growth and devel opment of bovine bovine splanchnocranium (the directions and intensity of growth in time). The maxilla has been selected as an object of thi s study, as it considerably changes in shape and dimensions after birt h. Since the os incisivum and os palatinum form a functional unit with the maxilla (the ceiling of the oral cavity), we included them in our study. We examined skulls of newborn calves up to 14 days of age, wit h erupted premolars (formula 0. 0 3 0: P2-P4), those of individuals on e year of age, with the first molar erupted (formula 0. 0 3 1: P2-P4, M1), and those of adults three years of age, with complete dentition ( 0 0 3 3: P2-P4, M1-M3). We studied the metrical data and growth direct ions in the periods mentioned by means of Cartesian co-ordinates. It f ollows from their construction that the maxilla shows the greatest gro wth in the rostro-caudal direction. It increases in length in its rost ral part (the margo interalveolaris), in the place of growth of molars and the tuber maxillae. On the contrary, al the level of the first mo lariform teeth (P2) this bone predominantly grows in height and width. Thus, the splanchnocranium becomes elongated and relatively more narr owed. Intense growth is only observed in the toothless part of the max illa, the margo interalveolaris and tuber maxillae caudal of the molar s. It is interesting to note that the Staphylion is invariably in line with the actual Postdentale.