[Morphofunctional studies of the masticatory apparatus]

Biophysical studies of the orofacial system require a profound knowledge of the development and morphology of the skull. The skull is the result of phylogenetic and ontogenetic evolution. A great number of multifarious factors have effects on the growth of the skull. In animal experiments the effects of some of these factors on pre- and postnatal craniofacial growth as well as the resulting maintenance of the functional balance have been analyzed. These basic research findings will be a contribution to our understanding of the factors influencing and controlling maxillocranial growth and will aid us in evaluating their inherent laws.