koski1968 BAUME

Cranial growth centers 573
A
Fig. 8. Schematic illustration of the cartilaginous nasal septum, of its relation to the neighboring
structures, ad of its alleged growth directions. A, Sagittal view; B, frontal view.
E, Ethmoid bone; M, maxilla; S, septum; V, vomer.
B
Fig. 9. A photomicrograph of the posterior part of the cartilaginous nasal septum of a young
rat, in which two areas of endochondral growth show. (Courtesy of Dr. 0. RBnning.)
vides a thrusting force which carries the maxilla forward and downward during
growth (F’ig. 8). Could it be a growth center?
Histologic examinations reveal that there is endochondral ossification taking
place at the septo-ethmoidal junction6 and that there is an area of proliferation
at the vomeral edge of the cartilage7 (Fig. 9). In the palatal area there is resorption
on the nasal side and apposition on the oral side of the bony
palate.2l 7, *L 22 These findings appear to support the general opinion.
Experimentally, it has been shown that excision of the nasal septum affects
the growth of the upper face considerably. 73y 74 However, it is clear that these
experiments do not prove anything about the role of the nasal septum; they
show only what happens if it is not there, and the malformations resulting from