[The human cartilaginous mesethmoid (author's transl)].

The existence of a cartilaginous facial structure, the mesethmoid, has been demonstrated in the newborn human infant. This structure is the peri- and post-natal tissue developed from the embryonic cartilaginous nasal capsules. Unrecognized during facial development, the cartilaginous mesethmoid, partly because of its multidirectional growth, is responsible for frontonasomaxillary osteomembranous centrofacial morphogenesis. Practical aspects are discussed, and studies to determine the post-natal structures derived from the mesethmoid are in progress.