Adaptation of the mandible in children with adenoids

In a sample of lateral x-ray cephalograms of children with obstructing adenoids, a dorsal rotation of the mandibular ramus was found to characterize the facial skeleton. The mandibular body and the condylar process were not correspondingly rotated. The findings suggest that dorsal rotation of the mandible occurring in association with various pathologic processes could always be primarily a response to an encroachment of the pharyngeal space. A possible involvement of the clivus region, to a minor degree, was also indicated. The need for "tailormade" cephalometric methods in studies of specific problems is stressed.