Secondary palate development

The development of the <a href="/facts/Secondary_palate/Sp8xupIl">secondary palate</a> commences in the sixth week of <a href="/facts/Human_embryonic_development/JeVmIcT0">human embryonic development</a>. It is characterised by the formation of two palatal shelves on the <a href="/facts/Maxillary_prominence/7k5B5udL">maxillary prominences</a>, the elevation of these shelves to a horizontal position, and then a process of palatal fusion between the horizontal shelves. The shelves will also fuse anteriorly upon the <a href="/facts/Primary_palate/4CQuVsuP">primary palate</a>, with the <a href="/facts/Incisive_foramen/SBPKQupa">incisive foramen</a> being the landmark between the primary palate and secondary palate. This forms what is known as the roof of the mouth, or the <a href="/facts/Hard_palate/UKtwNlup">hard palate</a>.
The formation and development of the secondary palate occurs through signalling molecules <a href="/facts/Sonic_hedgehog/Rgp34KCx">SHH</a>, <a href="/facts/Bone_morphogenetic_protein_2/Ee9AQm9J">BMP-2</a>, <a href="/facts/FGF-8/ufaC4qhS">FGF-8</a>, among others.
Failure of the secondary palate to develop correctly may result in a <a href="/facts/Cleft_palate/CoLE8Wbu">cleft palate</a> disorder.

Secondary palate development open-in-new

Secondary palate development