Growth of Maxilla | AIPGDEE and AIIMS Guidance

Which out of the following is true? 
A.Condylar Cartilage is the Primary Cartilage.
B.Alveolus is Growth Centre.
C. Growth of Maxilla occurs in downward and forward direction.
D.None

Ans. (C)

The sutures attaching the maxilla posteriorly and superiorly are ideally situated to allow its downward and forward re-positioning.

Interestingly as maxilla grows downward and forward, its front surfaces are remodeled, and bone is removed from most of the anterior surface. The condylar cartilage develops initially as an independent secondary cartilage, which is separated by considerable gap from the body of mandible. Early in fetal life, it fuses with the developing mandibular ramus.

A site of growth is merely a location at which growth occurs, whereas a center is a location at which independent (genetically controlled) growth occurs. All centers of growth also are growth sites, but the reverse is not true.