Fundamentals of Craniofacial Growth

In recent years, knowledge of craniofacial development and growth along with molecular and cellular fundamentals has improved. Adequate knowledge of migration, proliferation, and cellular differentiation processes as well as that of teratogenic agents, such as alcohol, retinoic acid, and cyclopamine, along with environmental agents could help us in the understanding and identification of the most common craniofacial malformations, so we could plan a correct surgical treatment in most cases. In this chapter, we will review the embryology of the craniofacial tissues and organs occurring during the fourth to eighth gestation weeks; the origin, development, and differentiation of the neural crest; the development of pharyngeal arches that form the facial structure, the morphogenesis of the face and skull, and the fusion patterns of the metopic, sagittal, coronal, and lambdoid facial sutures. We intend to allow the readers a comprehensive review of craniofacial development, congenital malformations, and initial diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment as feasible.