Fissures, canals and syndesmoses in the fetal maxilla

A brief analysis of the apertures, canals and syndesmoses of the maxilla is given on the basis of examination of 50 fetal maxillae. Analysis of the macerated and dried bone preparations was supplemented with the examination of soft parts in 10 embryonic and 10 adult skulls. This was necessary partly for detecting the pre-growth relations and partly for following the completion of growth. Examination by means of a binocular magnifying glass was extended to the infraorbital foramen; the infraorbital canal and sulcus; the inferior orbital fissure; the median and transverse palatine sutures; the foramina of the palatine process; the nutritive foramina; the incisive canal; the maxillary and maxilloethmoidal sutures. For certain morphological changes occurring in fetal age biological explanations have been provided.