title: The body and processes of the fetal maxilla.
abstract: Development of the maxilla has been studied based on 50 fetal maxillae. The morphological findings are supplemented with data of measurements where necessary. The frontal surface of the maxilla was examined, and its measurements were compared to those of the surrounding structures in fetal life and in adults. A detailed analysis deals with the alveolar process, its walls (laminae), the topography and measurements of the maxilla and the zygomatic bone, the relationship between the frontal process and the nasal bone as well as the frontal bone, with special regard to postnatal changes in these relations, followed by the morphology of the palatine process and the canine fossa. Some of the morphological findings are explained by ontogenetic and phylogenetic factors.
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008437:Maxilla / Q000196:embryology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third