Graphic reconstructions of craniofacial structures during secondary palate development in rats

Lateral and ventral graphic reconstructions of coronally sectioned rat fetuses at four stages of secondary palate development were made to illustrate the size, form, and spatial relations of craniofacial structures at each stage, and to indicate changes between stages. The results illustrated extensive changes in the nasomaxillary and tongue-mandibular complexes and spatial relations in the oronasal cavity during this 2-day period. During closure of the palate the palatine processes and molar dental laminae moved medially, the vertical dimension between the cranial base and Meckel's cartilage increased, and the Meckel's cartilage changed in shape from a "U" to a "V". During the 2-day period extensive increases in anteroposterior and vertical dimensions and limited changes in lateral dimensions resulted in a change in shape of the complete orofacial region. More extensive investigations, preferably quantitative, of the changes shown are indicated to identify the relative contribution of various craniofacial components and to establish the role of differential growth in secondary palate closure.