A longitudinal growth study: maxillary length at puberty in females.

1. A great individual variability is present in the timing of the maximum increment in ANS-PNS. 2. The maximum increment in maxillary length occurred before, as well as after, menarche, onset of epiphyseal-diaphyseal fusion, and peak of growth in height. 3. The later the maximum increment of growth occurred, the earlier menarche and onset of fusion occurred in relation to the peak. 4. The amount of growth at peak and duration of growth were not dictated by the absolute size of the maxilla at peak. 5. There was no significant difference in the amount of growth of maxillary length before or after menarche. 6. Timing of maximum increment in maxillary length was weakly correlated with onset of epiphyseal-diaphyseal fusion and menarche.