mellanföransiktets

Mellanföransiktet, or the midface, is the anatomical region of the human face that forms the middle third between the upper face (the forehead and eye region) and the lower face (the mouth and chin). In medical contexts the term refers to the central portion of the face and its supporting skeleton and soft tissues.

The midface comprises the bony elements such as the maxilla, zygomatic bones, nasal bones, and portions of the orbital floors and rims, as well as surrounding soft tissues including the cheeks, infraorbital region, and the nose. These structures together contribute to facial form, function, and expression, and they interact closely with the upper and lower facial regions.

Clinical relevance is prominent in trauma, reconstructive surgery, and aesthetic procedures. Midface injuries are often the result of high-energy impact and can involve complex fracture patterns, including the Le Fort classifications I, II, and III. Management typically requires a multidisciplinary approach, with goals including restoration of occlusion, orbital support, and facial contour, while preserving or restoring function such as vision and breathing.

Imaging and assessment frequently rely on computed tomography to delineate bony anatomy and fracture lines, supplemented by clinical examination and, when indicated, magnetic resonance imaging for soft tissues. Understanding the midface is essential in dentistry, ophthalmology, and maxillofacial surgery due to its role in mastication, vision, and aesthetics.

Etymology and usage: mellanföransiktet is Swedish for the midface; mellanföransiktets is the definite/genitive form meaning “of the midface” or “the midface’s.” In non-Swedish texts, the equivalent term midface is commonly used.