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 ref erences. The relationship of the dentition to the greater palatine for amina was also investigated. Thirty-nine medieval dry skulls were exam ined, 22 from children and 17 from adults. All crania were photographe d at a 1:1 scale. The dimensions of the maxilla and the location of th e dentition were determined from the photographs. The study showed tha t palatal growth in length in the sagittal plane takes place anterior to the greater palatine foramen. The growth increment in the area betw een the incisive foramen and the transverse palatine suture is more pr onounced than the growth increment in the area between the transverse palatine suture and the greater palatine foramen. The distance from th e greater palatine foramina to the posterior margin of the palate did not increase significantly with age. The growth in width seems to cont inue into adult life. The first permanent molars and the surrounding b one are moved forwards in relation to the greater palatine foramina du ring growth. The space for the developing maxillary premolars and mola rs therefore has to be obtained by growth in the transverse palatine s uture. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.