Development of the mammalian secondary palate involves multiple steps of highly regulated morphogenetic processes that are frequently disturbed during human development, resulting in the common birth defect of cleft palate. Neither the molecular processes governing normal palatogenesis nor the causes of cleft palate is well understood. In an expression screen to identify new transcription facto...

Reconstruction of a composite maxillary defect is frequently performed with a fibular osteocutaneous free flap to address both the bony and mucosal defect. If during the harvest of the fibula a distal skin perforator is not present due to vascular variations, reconstruction can potentially be done using the soleus muscle for filling of the palatal mucosal defect. An additional challenge arises ...

This article presents a technique for soft tissue reconstruction and covering defects associated with maxillary implant-supported restorations. A pedicle subepithelial connective tissue flap is prepared from the palatal mucosa near the area to be treated and is displaced into the receptor site. The donor site remains primarily covered. An increase in soft tissue volume is achieved at the recept...

The mammalian secondary palate arises by outgrowth from the oral side of the paired maxillary processes flanking the primitive oral cavity. Palatal growth depends on reciprocal interactions between the oral ectoderm and the underlying neural-crest-derived mesenchyme. Previous studies have implicated sonic hedgehog (Shh) as an important epithelial signal for regulating palatal growth. However, t...

In Summer 2002, a patient with frequent epistaxis was admitted to the San Gerardo Hospital. Local examination showed a big mass in the nasal fossa. TC and RMN revealed a diffuse erosion of the palatal bone and infiltration of the maxilla. The tumor was removed and histological examination showed a gland carcinoma. The young age of the patient and the need of an adequate bone reconstruction led ...

Background Cleft palate (CP) is a common congenital defect. It makes serious difficulties for cleft-affected children. The gold standard of care is autogenous bone grafting which may cause additional problems in donor site along with disappointing results. Tissue engineering is a promising solution for a widespread range of defects and disorders. It is reasonable to utilize this novel technolo...

Cleft palate is among the most common birth defects in humans. Previous studies have shown that Shh signaling plays critical roles in palate development and regulates expression of several members of the forkhead-box (Fox) family transcription factors, including Foxf1 and Foxf2, in the facial primordia. Although cleft palate has been reported in mice deficient in Foxf2, whether Foxf2 plays an i...

A female patient, 36-years-old, complained of bilateral palatal pain on the anatomical area of upper second molars. The painful condition of palatal mucosa erosion was observed. Palatal erosions or ulcerations may be caused by heated food cooked in microwave ovens. We present a case of a bilateral palatal burn caused by cheese-pie. Concluding, any food containing cheese, when heated in microwav...

The present investigation examines palatal production as well as the relation of phonology and phonetics in Greek. In accordance with one production experiment, the results indicate: (1) palatal productions that surface from one underlying segment are significantly longer than palatal productions that surface from two underlying segments, (2) palatal productions are voice assimilated with the p...