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Electromyograms were compared with kinematograms recorded for 35 male dental students, average age 25 years, with full occlusions and without temporomandibular joint dysfunction. The records were obtained during the open-close-clench cycle rhythmically performed as the patient occluded on the molar teeth. The mechanical tracings disclosed seven subjects with centric slide and the duration of the cycle was significantly longer than normal. The kinematographic latency of the jaw opening reflex was found to be about equal to the sum of the electromyographic latency and inhibition.

Seventy-three pre-medieval British skulls were examined and the maxillo-septal syndrome was found in 42. Ten foetal specimens of crown rump length greater than 40 mm were also examined and the syndrome was found in three specimens. Deflection of the nasal septum was present in 56 specimens.

The present report is concerned with the immunopathogenesis of recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAU). Lymphocytes in various stages of sensitization are described and their interaction with macrophages, each other and epithelial cells. Typical macrophages were seen in the lamina propria but not in affected epithelium. The phagocytic cells seen between epithelial cells and in the juxtabasal part of the lamina propria was identified as a reticuloid cell because of close connections with each other, numerous microvesicles and electron-lucent (euchromatic) nuclei. It is thought that it replaces the macrophage seen in Behçet's syndrome and oral lichen planus and is responsible for the localized nature of RAU.

The human temporomandibular joint in transverse and longitudinal section was found to have two types of mechanoreceptors. One of capsular form approximately 40 times 200 mum innervated by myelinated nerve fibres 8 mum in diameter and the other corresponding to the Golgi tendon organ was innervated by myelinated nerve fibers 15 mum in diameter which on entering the tendon organ lost their myelin sheaths.

The purpose of the present study was to classify lymphocytes in the buccal mucosa of patients affected with recurrent apthous ulceration. Two lymphocytes were identified. The B lymphocyte was characterized by an extensive Golgi complex, an extensive tubular rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, and an extensive canalicular system. Usually the nucleus was electron lucent except for perinuclear condensation of chromatin. The T lymphocyte had a moderately developed Golgi complex, absent or poorly developed rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes, and considerably more heterochromatin (perinuclear) than the B lymphocyte. Uropods were associated with the T lymphocyte and exerted cytotoxic effects on basal and suprabasal cells.

The results of twenty patients treated for the maxillo-septal syndrome and associated temporomandibular joint dysfunction are reported as well as the method of treatment. The treatment plan included rapid maxillary expansion with either a fixed or removable appliance, retention of the increased maxillary width with a Hawley retainer, simultaneous increase in mandibular width with a Crozat appliance. Finally the occlusion was equilibrated. Certain cases are discussed in detail and maxillary expansion was usually restricted to between 1 . 0 and 2 . 0 mm.

Seven cases of the erosive type of lichen planus, as well as normal tissue, were studied with the optical and electron microscope. The study was concerned with the distribution and formation of colloid bodies. These bodies were located at the epithelial-proprial junctions and occasionally inter-epithelially. They were seldom larger than basal epithelial cells and were macrophages which contained fragments of phagocytosed epithelial cells. They probably correspond to cytoid bodies which have a similar size and a similar distribution.

In oral lichen planus two types of lymphocytes were found in the lamina propria in the basal and suprabasal layers. The T-cell is identified by the absence of rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum in contrast to its extensive development in the B-cell of which various types were identified including plasma cells. Interaction was noted between macrophages, lymphocytes, and epithelial cells. The variability noted in T-cells may arise from sensitization related to phagocytosis of degenerate epithelial cells by macrophages which transfer the immunological information to lymphocytes.

Superficial, transitional and polygonal buccal epithelial cells from patients with the erosive type of lichen planus were compared with similar cells from non-keratinizing human buccal mucosa. Transitional cells from non-keratinizing buccal mucosa had glycogen lakes and membrane-coating granules with electron dense cores. Surface cells were not keratinized and pathological cells were less granular. In lichen planus membrane-coating granules were numerous, markedly electron dense, and some showed an internal lamellar structure. Surface cells were keratotic or parakeratotic. Processes of macrophages were associated with the pathological membrane-coating granules.

Three hundred and forty-eight cranial remains from Bronze and Iron Age British, Romano-British, Anglo-Saxon, Eastern Coast Australian aborigines, Medieval Christian Norse, Medieval Scarborough, 17--20th century British and German cultures, were examined for the presence of osteoarthritis in the temporomandibular joints. Cultures exposed to more stringent living conditions and with well-worn teeth had about twice the incidence of osteo-arthritis as the more sophisticated cultures. In general, loss of either molar support or occlusal imbalance were potent aetiological factors in this disease.

The results of treatment of 67 patients with septo-maxillary syndrome and associated temporomandibular joint dysfunction are reported. Five case histories are described in detail. The features of the syndrome emphasized are the maxillo-septal facies, ipsilateral deficiency of facial mesenchyme (mesectoderm) and condylar displacement. Associated with condylar displacement was early osteo-arthritis of the temporomandibular joint complex. It is suggested that Costen's syndrome needs restatement.

Electromyographic analysis was carried out prior to occlusal equilibration for patients who had some form of TMJ dysfunction and again after treatment. The results were compared with similar analyses for patients without any symptoms of dysfunction (controls) and for patients who had been wearing some kind of occlusal appliance as treatment for dysfunction. The parameters measured were the period of minimal activity (inactive phase of jaw elevators sometimes referred to as the inactive phase), the duration of muscle contraction before tooth contact (DMC), the period of muscle activity after tooth contact (latency), the inhibitory response, and the duration of the clench phase of the temporal and masseter muscles. In general the pathological series had longer cycles, longer DMC, longer clench phases and less significant correlation coefficients than the controls. The results indicated a dominance of the closing muscles in the pathological groups over the other parameters of the cycle during metronome monitoring. Also, the controls and the POST equilibration group yielded readily to cortical command. The parameters of the cycle in the POST-equilibration group were facilitated as compared to the other groups.