Growth and development of the cranial base in mice that spontaneously develop anterior transverse crossbite.

Introduction: Homozygous brachymorphic (bm/bm) mice are characterized by disproportionately short stature. Anterior transverse crossbite sometimes develops spontaneously in inbred BALB/c-bm/bm mice that produce undersulfated glycosaminoglycans. The reason for inferior growth of the craniofacial structures of BALB/c-bm/bm mice has not been clarified.