ANTERIOR FACE OF THE HEAD. 39 



The bones entering into its formation are the nasal anteriorly, and 

 the lachrymal, superior maxillary, and incisive laterally. Three pairs 

 of muscles occupy the lateral moieties, the supermaxillo-labialis, 1 

 supernaso-labialis, and inferior palpebral or lachrymalis. 



The study of this region is very interesting, because it circum- 

 scribes the nasal fossae, whose development is always in direct relation 

 with that of the respiratory apparatus in general. A wide transverse 

 diameter of the face is therefore its first condition of beauty as well as 

 of utility. 



The face is divided into three regions, a middle and two lateral. 



1. Middle Region. This must be studied as to its direction and 

 its width. 



a. The direction or form of the face or nose gives to the head 

 particular names. 



Thus, when it is straight or rectilinear from above to below, the 

 head is called flat or square. When it is convex in the same sense, the 

 head is designated as having a ram's nose or a Roman nose, if the con- 

 vexity be limited to the face ; when the convexity extends to the fore- 

 head as well as to the nose, the head is arched. Finally, when it is 

 concave in the middle of its length, the head is likened to that of a 

 rhinoceros, and is also called camel-nosed. 



The various forms may be congenital or acquired. The latter are 

 due to pressure on the nasal bones from the improper employment of 

 the nose-band of the bridle or the halter. Fortunately, this does not 

 interfere with the capacity of the nasal fossae, which are as capacious 

 as in natural conditions. It will be otherwise, however, if this confor- 

 mation be occasioned by fracture of the nasal bones, as we shall see 

 further on. 



Although the straight form or square head is the most agreeable to 

 the eye, the other forms of the face do not imply anything derogatory 

 to the development of the respiratory apparatus. 



6. The width of the middle region can be easily determined by 

 examining its anterior surface. The width is in all cases an index of 

 the respiratory capacity, and should be in proportion to that of the fore- 

 head to preserve the harmonious relation of the integral parts. We 

 cannot oppose too strongly the erroneous teaching of some authors who 

 regard a convex face, under the pretence that it is narrow, as a predis- 



1 This muscle, covering the maxillary sinuses below the eye, can be easily outlined. Its 

 external border is separated from the maxillary spine, with which it is almost parallel, by a space 

 about twenty-five centimetres in width. This space should be selected for trepanning, so as not 

 to injure the muscle. (Harger.) 



