title: Maxillary length in 11- to 26-week-old normal fetuses studied by 3D ultrasound.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this article is to investigate normal prenatal maxillary length using 3D ultrasound and to correlate this with previously reported results for the mandible and the biparietal diameter (BPD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-two 3D ultrasound volumes from normal pregnancies in 52 volunteers (gestational age: 11-26 weeks) were obtained using a GE Voluson 730 Expert 3D scanner. Maxillary length and BPD were measured. Growth velocity and rate were calculated. Maxillary values were correlated with BPD and previously reported mandibular values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean total maxillary length ranged from 7.4 ± 2.7 mm at 11 weeks to 33.1 ± 2.7 mm at 26 weeks. Maxillary growth velocity can be described using a linear model. The correlation between maxillary and mandibular length, and BPD was high (R = 0.85-0.88). There was no statistically significant difference in the growth velocity between maxilla and mandible, whereas the velocity of the increase in BPD growth was significantly larger than that of the jaws. However, the growth rate was larger for the jaws than for the BPD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Normative measures for the maxilla in 11- to 26-week-old fetuses are presented. Change in maxillary length was described using a linear model. The maxillary and mandibular growth velocities and rates were similar but differ from those of the BPD.
authors: Paediatric Dentistry and Clinical Genetics, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.|3D Craniofacial Image Research Laboratory (School of Dentistry, University of Copenhagen; Centre of Head and Orthopaedics, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet; and DTU Compute, Technical University of Denmark), Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: N V
authors: NV
authors: Hermann
authors: 3D Craniofacial Image Research Laboratory (School of Dentistry, University of Copenhagen; Centre of Head and Orthopaedics, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet; and DTU Compute, Technical University of Denmark), Copenhagen, Denmark.|Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: T A
authors: TA
authors: Darvann
authors: Ultrasound Clinic, Juliane Marie Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Sundberg
authors: Paediatric Dentistry and Clinical Genetics, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.|3D Craniofacial Image Research Laboratory (School of Dentistry, University of Copenhagen; Centre of Head and Orthopaedics, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet; and DTU Compute, Technical University of Denmark), Copenhagen, Denmark.|Department of Clinical Genetics, Juliane Marie Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Kreiborg
authors: Ultrasound Clinic, Juliane Marie Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Joergensen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002508:Cephalometry; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008437:Maxilla / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000196:embryology; D009929:Organ Size; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012886:Skull / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D055815:Young Adult