This document provides definitions and concepts related to growth and development. It discusses:
- Ancient concepts of growth from texts like the Garbha Upanishad.
- Definitions of growth, development, and related terms from sources like Todd, Proffit, and Moyers.
- The patterns of growth including differential growth, the cephalocaudal gradient, and proportional changes.
- Factors that influence growth timing, rate and direction like genetics and environment.
- Major longitudinal growth studies that provide standards and norms for understanding craniofacial development.