

The maxillary prominences expand medially to give rise to the palatal shelves. The intermaxillary segment also contributes to the labial component of the philtrum and the upper four incisors.

Primordia bridge code series#
A series of steps lead to their separation, and the establishment of the palate.Īs the nose forms, the fusion of the medial nasal prominence with its contralateral counterpart creates the intermaxillary segment - which forms the primary palate (becomes the anterior 1/3 of the definitive palate). Initially, the nasal cavity is continuous with the oral cavity. Philtrum, primary palate, upper 4 incisors and associated jawĬheeks, lateral upper lip, secondary palate, lateral upper jaw Prominenceįorehead, bridge of nose, medial and lateral nasal prominences Fig 2 - Development of the Nose and Face. The maxillary prominences then fuse with the nasal prominences - and soon after fuse in the midline to form a continuous central structure.


In this article, we will outline the processes involved in the development of the face and palate. This development is completed by the 12 th week. Consequently, this causes a distinction between the nasal and oral cavities. The development of the face is completed by the 6 th week.īetween the 6 th and 8 th week, the palate begins to develop. The external human face develops between the 4 th and 6 th week of embryonic development. The maxillary prominences then fuse with the nasal prominences – and soon after fuse in the midline to form a continuous central structure. These then invaginate to form nasal pits, with medial and lateral nasal prominences on either side.Īs the maxillary prominences expand medially, the nasal prominences are ‘pushed’ closer to the midline. Nasal development is instigated by the appearance of raised bumps called nasal placodes on both sides of the frontonasal prominence. A space lies between the maxillary prominences, covered by the oropharyngeal membrane this is known as the stomatodeum, the precursor to the mouth and pituitary gland.Mandibular and maxillary prominences – parts of the 1st pharyngeal arch.Frontonasal prominence – formed by the proliferation of mesenchymal neural crest cells ventral to the forebrain.The structures of the external face are derived from two sources: It is comprised of ectoderm and endoderm – externally and internally, respectively.ĭuring the 4th week, the oropharyngeal membrane begins to break down in order to become the future oral cavity, and sits at the beginning of the digestive tract. During week 3 of embryonic development, an oropharyngeal membrane initially appears at the site of the future face.
