[Contribution and limitations of experimental models to the understanding of certain abnormalities of the face and ear].

The analysis of 4 craniofacial teratological models in the mouse (13-cis-retinoic acid and methyl triazene administration, irradiation, 'far' strain) permits to study the similarities, but also the differences between these models and malformative syndromes in the human. Retinoic acid administration provides a phenocopy of mandibulofacial dysostosis, and irradiation gives rise to a centrofacial dysplasia evoking several holoprosencephalia and Crouzon syndrome. However, triazene administration does not reproduce the hemicraniofacial microsomia.