Genetic factors influencing morphogenesis and growth of sutures and synchondroses in the craniofacial complex

This review provides a wide-ranging overview of what is known about the development and growth of intramembranous bones from the cranial and facial sutures, of cartilage and endochondral bones from the cranial base synchondroses. After a concise introduction to embryonic and fetal craniofacial development, and postnatal growth, the role of the cranial base synchondroses, and cranial and facial sutures in these processes is described. This description is followed by a brief discussion of the future directions for research on craniofacial growth and development.