Topography and differential growth of the nasal ventral concha (os conchae nasalis ventralis) of the pig from birth to six weeks of age.

To study the growth of nasal ventral concha (os conchae nasalis ventralis) of pigs between birth and 6 weeks of age, 7 undecalcified 80-micron thick nasal cross sections between the 3rd incisor and the 3rd premolar teeth were examined by microradiography and fluorescence microscopy, after labeling with tetracycline and alizarine red S. Conchal growth was particularly rapid in the pigs during the first 2 weeks of life. From the 3rd week, growth of the nasal ventral concha became slower. For a given age, the slow growing zone spread in the rostrocaudal direction. The transversely directed growth of the nasal ventral concha resulted in the optimal filling of the nasal cavities.