title: Experimental study on the influence of facial muscle activity on the facial mesostructure bones in rabbits.
abstract: Based on the functional matrix concept, scientists developed the hypothesis that soft tissue acting on certain bone pieces determines the process of facial growth. The possibility to modify muscle influence in the phase of facial development, or in postoperative of corrective surgery is of great preventive importance and it should be better investigated, since it could reduce the number and impact of these procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  experimental in rabbits.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  to estimate the relevance of facial muscle activity on facial bones in lab rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  37 rabbits of two months of age were studied, divided in a study group and a control group, were followed up for a period of 4 months. The study group animals had their facial nerves cut at the cervical root in one side. The facial mesostructure of the animals was removed in block for later morphometric studies through computer graphics made out of the digital pictures of the specimens. Results were submitted for comparative statistical analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The lack of muscle activity in half of the face produces an ipsilateral shift of the facial mesostructure in developing rabbits.
authors.affiliation: Master's degree, otorhinolaryngologist, Hospital Santa Catarina, São Paulo, SP.
authors.forename: Andre Ricardo
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Mateus
authors.affiliation: Doctoral degree, director of the Otorhinolaryngology Department, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo.
authors.forename: José Eduardo Lutaif
authors.initials: JEL
authors.lastname: Dolci
authors.affiliation: Doctoral degree, coordinator of the Otorhinolaryngology Graduate Course Council, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo.
authors.forename: Henrique Olavo
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: de Olival Costa
authors.affiliation: Veterinarian, responsible for the ICAO biotherium, ICAO - Instituto de Ciências Avançadas em Otorrinolaringologia.
authors.forename: Flávia Coelho
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.affiliation: Doctoral degree, otorhinolaryngologist.
authors.forename: Noemi di
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Biase
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000254:growth & development*; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000502:physiology*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008445:Maxillofacial Development / Q000502:physiology*; D023421:Models, Animal; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation