Because infant anatomy of the head differs greatly from adult cranial anatomy, Dr. James Bosma of the National Institute of Dental Research wanted to produce a reference guide on infant anatomy for pediatricians, pediatric dentists, maxillo-facial surgeons, and other physicians. Bosma hoped that by learning more about the development of the infant airway, throat, larynx, and pharynx, that doctors could better understand breast feeding and respiratory abnormalities. Bosma asked Howard Bartner to collaborate with him and three other illustrators in the study and description of the infant head, resulting in the publishing of Anatomy of the Infant Head (Johns Hopkins University Press, 1986). Bartner's elegant illustrations are important features of this classic text.

Drawings 1-3: Sequential Dissections of the Head from the Side
Below are side-view drawings of an infant's head. Note the nugget of extra fat, known as the "buccal pad." The buccal pad contributes to babies' chubby cheeks and diminishes when the infant is about a year old. Drawings two and three depict arrangements of the jaw and throat muscles.

Drawings 4-6: Sequential Views of the Infant's Throat, Larynx Areas, and Mouth Muscles from the Front
Removal of the skin shows tissue and muscles in the throat area. Note how the drawings become progressively more detailed as the levels of dissection go deeper. The left side of drawing 6 is a working sketch; the finished product is on the right.

Drawings 7-9: Sequential Drawings of the Throat Area from the Back
The following drawings show the back of an infant's head. Drawing seven depicts the relation between the pharynx and vessels and nerves on each side of it. The eighth drawing illustrates the ear as seen from the back; and the ninth drawing is a close-up of the pharynx and layrnx areas.

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Johns Hopkins University Press
National Institute of Child Health
National Institute of Dental Research