Cephalometric investigation of craniomaxillofacial structures during the prenatal period: a cadaver study.
BACKGROUND
We aimed to investigate the morphometric development of the cranial base and its related structures, and their growth rate changes from the ninth gestational week to full term in a large group of human fetuses.


METHODS
We selected 203 (109 male, 94 female) fetuses between 9 and 40 weeks of gestation and without any external anomalies. From each fetus, standard lateral and posteroanterior cephalometric images were taken using a dental digital panoramic and cephalometric x-ray machine. Fourteen linear and 9 angular parameters were measured.


RESULTS
The cranial base angle showed a statistically significant increase between the groups from only the second to the third trimester periods. The sagittal translation of the maxilla increased during the prenatal period, whereas the mandibular sagittal relation grew at a steady rate. The vertical plane angles of the maxilla and the mandible did not show any significant changes. The maxillary length to mandibular length ratio remained stable.


CONCLUSIONS
The cranial base angle increased, especially in the second through the third trimesters. The maxilla and the mandible demonstrated different growth patterns in the sagittal direction. The findings of this study could be a guide for interpreting the relationships among the craniofacial structures.
Associate professor, Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Suleyman Demirel, Isparta, Turkey. Electronic address: elcinesenlik@gmail.com.
Elçin
E
Esenlik
Assistant professor, Health School, University of Mehmet Akif, Burdur, Turkey.
Emine Hilal
EH
Sener
Professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Şifa, İzmir, Turkey.
Hasan Hüseyin
HH
Yılmaz
Professor, Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Katip Çelebi, İzmir, Turkey.
Mehmet Ali
MA
Malas
D002102:Cadaver; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods*; D002680:Chin / Q000196:embryology; D018568:Crown-Rump Length; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000196:embryology*; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000196:embryology; D047109:Fetal Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005333:Fetus; D005528:Foot / Q000196:embryology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000196:embryology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000196:embryology; D009295:Nasal Bone / Q000196:embryology; D038081:Organogenesis / Q000502:physiology; D010294:Parietal Bone / Q000196:embryology; D019252:Radiography, Dental, Digital / Q000379:methods; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000379:methods; D012658:Sella Turcica / Q000196:embryology; D012886:Skull / Q000196:embryology*; D019291:Skull Base / Q000196:embryology