Occasionally a deficiency in the osseous material of the cranium
or an abnormal dilatation of the fontanelles gives rise to a
hernia of the meninges, which, if accompanied by cerebrospinal
fluid in any quantity, causes a large and peculiarly shaped tumor
called meningocele. If there is a protrusion of brain-substance
itself, a condition known as hernia cerebri results.
Complete absence of the inferior maxilla is much rarer in man
than in animals. Nicolas and Prenant have described a curious
case of this anomaly in a sheep. Gurlt has named subjects
presenting the total or partial absence of the inferior maxilla,
agnathes or hemiagnathes. Simple atrophy of the inferior maxilla
has been seen in man as well as in the lower animals, but is much
less frequent than atrophy of the superior maxilla. Langenbeck
reports the case of a young man who had the inferior maxilla so
atrophied that in infancy it was impossible for him to take milk
from the breast. He had also almost complete immobility of the
jaws. Boullard reports a deformity of the visage, resulting in a
deficiency of the condyles of the lower jaw. Maurice made an
observation on a vice of conformation of the lower jaw which
rendered lactation impossible, probably causing the death of the
infant on this account.
Pages:
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
483
484
485
486
487
488
489
490