[The tongue as a factor in craniofacial growth. 4. Results of animal experiments]

Post-natal craniofacial growth in the miniature pig MIN-LEWE is influenced by the tongue in various ways. Periodic and locally differentiated intensive craniofacial growth explains why the tongue has a measurable effect on jaw growth only at certain times. This is the situation in animals glossectomized at an age of 12 weeks. Shortening of the tongue in miniature pigs aged six weeks resulted in no measurable changes in the jaw after a prolonged post-surgical interval (23 weeks), which indicates that the capacity of the orofacial system during post-natal development is considerable.