Maxillofacial Trauma I — Bone Healing & Facial Fractures

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the introduction to maxillofacial trauma, focusing on bone biology, fracture recognition, and management principles.

Mandibular Blood Supply

In younger patients, this is a dual supply from the periosteum (and overlying mucosa) and the inferior alveolar artery. In older patients, it relies more heavily on the periostial supply.

Bone Healing Timeline

The duration required for bone to heal is typically $4-6\,\text{weeks}$, though this is prolonged in larger bones, the elderly, or those with osteoporosis.

Stages of Bone Healing

A sequence starting with a haematoma (fibrin clot/coagulation cascade), followed by the formation of a callus which acts as a biological splint, and ending with remodelling in response to mechanical stress.

Trauma Definition

The transfer of energy to the body, where the resulting injury is proportional to the magnitude of the force (energy) absorbed.

Lingual Haematoma

A pathognomonic clinical sign of a mandibular fracture until proven otherwise.

Mandibular Fracture Frequency

Approximately $60-70\%$ of mandibular fractures are bilateral due to the intact U-shape of the bone.

Mandibular Radiographic Protocol

For suspected fractures, two views must be taken at $90^{\circ}$ to each other, specifically an OPG and a PA (posteroanterior) mandible.

Pediatric Condyle

A crucial growth centre of the mandible that, if injured, requires years of monitoring to prevent or manage future asymmetrical jaw growth.

Zygomatic Complex Anatomy

Often compared to a four-legged stool consisting of the zygomaticofrontal suture, the inferior orbital rim/floor, the lateral maxillary wall, and the zygomatic arch.

Extraocular Muscle Innervation

Represented by the mnemonic LR6 SO4, stating the lateral rectus is supplied by $CN\,VI$ and the superior oblique by $CN\,IV$, while all others are supplied by $CN\,III$.

Oculocardiac Reflex

A phenomenon involving bradycardia, nausea, and vomiting, often triggered by a "trapdoor" orbital floor fracture trapping an extraocular muscle in children.

Le Fort I Fracture

A low-level horizontal fracture above the teeth where the tooth-bearing segment of the maxilla moves.

Le Fort II Fracture

A pyramidal mid-face fracture involving the nasal bones.

Le Fort III Fracture

A high-level fracture characterized by craniofacial disjunction, where the entire mid-face separates from the skull.

Battle’s Sign

Retroauricular bruising often associated with a base-of-skull fracture.

Raccoon Eyes

Bilateral periorbital ecchymosis (bruising) indicating a potential base-of-skull fracture.

CSF Rhinorrhoea

A leakage of cerebrospinal fluid from the nose, signaling a communication with the intracranial cavity, often following a fracture of the posterior table of the frontal sinus.

Facial Nerve Branches ($CN\,VII$)

The five branches are Temporal, Zygomatic, Buccal, Marginal Mandibular, and Cervical.

Reduction

The process of realigning bone ends into their original position, which can be done through open (direct visualization) or closed (indirect) methods.

Fixation

The process of immobilizing a reduced fracture to allow healing, classified as internal (plates and screws) or external (e.g., arch bars or box frames).