Normal and abnormal growth at the nasoseptovomeral region.

The purpose of this report is to review and summarize a selected series of previously reported experiments at the nasoseptovomeral region dealing with both normal growth and the effects of certain operative procedures in young and adult rabbits. The methods of study included gross and serial cephalometric radiography with radiopaque implants, histology, and autoradiography. Findings indicated that the frontonasal suture region was an active secondary site of growth unaffected by extirpation. Examples of differential sutural growth were presented. The proximal and distal regions of both the nasal bone and septum were their most active sites of growth. Extirpations of the central section of the cartilaginous nasal septum resulted in severe upper facial deformity in young but not in adult rabbits. Trauma to the nasal bone region in the young rabbit did not result in severe facial deformity as did trauma to the cartilaginous nasal septum. Another purpose of this report is to present some of the different approaches used to study the nasoseptovomeral region.