In 1976, Paul Tessier provided a numerical classification system for rare facial clefts, numbered from 0 to 14. The Tessier 3 cleft is a rare facial cleft extending from the philtrum of the upper lip through the wing of the nostril, and reaches the medial canthus of the eye. The aim of this document was to describe a pre-Hispanic anthropomorphic figurine dating from the classic period (200 A.D.–900 A.D.), which has a Tessier 3 cleft. We also discuss the documented pre-Hispanic beliefs about facial clefts.
AllamK.A., LimA.A., ElsherbinyA., KawamotoH.K.The Tessier number 3 cleft: a report of 10 cases and review of literature.J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg.2014; 67: 1055–1062.
GaldamezL.E.Salvadorian Pre-Columbian Ceramic Collection of the Central Zone [in Spanish]. San Salvador, El Salvador: Eduardo'Studio Editores; 2008.
6.
GawrychE., Janiszewska-OlszowskaJ., ChojnackaH.Tessier type 3 oblique facial cleft with a contralateral complete cleft lip and palate.Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg.2010; 39: 1133–1136.
7.
KawamotoH.K.Jr. The kaleidoscopic world of rare craniofacial clefts: order out of chaos (Tessier classification).Clin Plast Surg.1976; 3: 529–572.
8.
Lopez MirandaK.P., Perez TinocoE.The value of procreation and pregnancy from the Mesoamerican perspective [in Spanish].Antropomorfas, Nueva Época.2012; 2: 42–58.
9.
Marius-NunezA.L., WasiakD.T.Cranio-facial clefts in pre-Hispanic America.Clin Genet.2015; 88: 336–338.
10.
NajeraM.I.The fear to eclipses among Mayan cultures [in Spanish]. In: Varela-TorrecillaC., BonorJ.L., Fernández-MarquínezY., eds. Religion and Society in the Mayan Region [in Spanish]. Madrid: Sociedad Española de Estudios Mayas, Instituto de Cooperación Iberoamericana; 1995: 319–327.
11.
TessierP.Anatomical classification of facial, craniofacial and latero-facial clefts.J Maxillofac Surg.1976; 4: 69–92.
