Ultraestructura de la superficie articular del complejo temporomandibular en algunos roedores

Abstract

An histological and ultrastructural morphological analysis was carried out to compare the articular surface of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) from different rodents: rat, guinea pig, hamster and rabbit. The main components of the TMJ in mammals are: condyl, capsule and articular disk and these structures are organized as follow: an external layer of undiferentiate cells, a second layer of fibroblasts, under which one can find a fibrous cartilage followed by bone structure. In the case of disk, its structure is free of bone, We observed qualitatively that the articular surfaces from components of TMJ have not the same wide in its total long, probably due to changes induced by mechanical forces in certain areas. Although in the TMJs of a guinea pig analyzed we found histological alteration as had been reported by others resulting from pathological cases. The main goal of the present study is to add information about normal composition through the finest details of the articular surfaces for the components of the TMJ.