Craniofacial growth under the influence of the blood supply. 14. Theoretical deductions and clinical conclusion
Schumacher, G.H.; Fanghänel, J.; Köster, D.; Mierzwa, J.
Anatomischer Anzeiger 167(1): 17-22
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-2786 PMID: 3189856 Document Number: 311146
After eliminating the masticatory muscles as a growth factor in our animal model is was possible to analyze the blood supply to the skull in sufficient detail. The animal organism and its parts may be regarded as self-regulating, self-optimizing and self-adapting systems. Open systems exchange energy and material with their surroundings. This is typical of all organisms and, since growth is one of their properties, to growth. The processes of ossification and growth of the rat skull are therefore comparable in principle with those taking place in the human. The specific features of the chewing mechanism, in contrast, are not comparable. The clinical conclusions drawn from our model studies illustrate the importance of the blood supply for craniofacial growth while simultaneously demonstrating the compensation ability and adaptability of arteries and bones.