The biologic process that has an underlying control system at the cellular
and tissue levels is called Morphogenesis. Two mechanisms combine to form the
skeleton: intramemebranous ossification and endochondral ossification. It is in the
latter that the vertebrae and long bones are formed, while intramembranous ossification
is responsible for the cranial bones. While somatic and craniofacial development have
been shown clearly to be associated, the growth of the craniofacial region – involving,
as it does, interaction between growth sites adjacent to each other, each of which has a
different pattern and grows at different times and at different rates, is highly complex.
The purpose of this chapter with the question-answer format is to provide the basic
concepts on craniofacial growth and development.
Keywords: Cranial bones, Craniofacial growth, Mandibular condyle.