Abstract
A series of studies has been conducted in our laboratory on the anatomical features of the dental arch and the palate in the adult female. In the present communication, the palatal breadth, the mandibular alveolar breadth and the palatal arch length were examined on the male and female groups in Shimonoseki city, the female group in Yawata city, and comparison was made of the data obtained between both sexes groups in Shimonoseki city, between the two city groups and between both sexes groups in Tanushimaru, Fukuoka Prefecture. I. It was revealed that the palatal breadth, the mandibular alveolar breadth and the palatal arch breadth were shortest in the cuspid region, being increased toward the posterior region of jaws. II. Palatal Breadth The Palatal breadth in the female was conspicuously smaller than in the male of Shimonoseki group suggesting marked sex difference. It was also observed that the breadth in Shimonoseki female was smaller than in the male in Tanushimaru, although greater than the female groups of Yawata and Tanushimaru districts. III. Mandibular Alveolar Breadth There was also noted sex difference in the mandibular alveolar breadth of Shimonoseki group where that of the female was definitely smaller than that of the male. However, the value for Shimonoseki female was greater than that for Yawata female. IV. Palatal Arch Length Between both sexes groups of Shimonoseki the Palatal arch length in the female was definitely smaller than in the male. The value for Shimonoseki female was greater than either for Yawata and Tanushimaru female groups, although smaller than that for Tanushimaru male. V. Observation of the general aspect of the palate revealed that the palate in the female was smaller than that in the male in Shimonoseki group, but was greater than those in the other two female groups. There was no significant difference between Yawata and Tanushimaru female groups in this respect.
