Early development of the human palate in stages 16 and 17

Abstract

A study was performed on 12 human embryos at developmental stages 16 and 17 (6^th week). In the investigated embryos the primary palate is formed from medial nasal, lateral nasal, and maxillary processes. The medial and lateral nasal processes merge and form the nasal fin at stage 16. This fin regresses and at stage 17 and persists as the oronasal membrane. The primordia of the secondary palate appear at stage 17. (Folia Morphol 2011; 70, 1: 29-32)