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During the process of growth and development, the digastric muscle is subjected to marked functional changes, including the change from suckling to mastication. In particular, because the anterior belly of the digastric muscle, which is one of the suprahyoid muscles, plays an important role in mastication. Therefore, this muscle seems to undergo a marked functional change before and after weaning. However, the details remain unknown. Here, to clarify the changes in the muscle fibre characteristics of the anterior belly of the digastric muscle before and after weaning, we examined myosin heavy chain isoforms at the protein (immunohistochemistry) and mRNA (transcription) levels. As a control, the changes in the muscle fibre characteristics of the sternohyoid muscle, which is anatomically aligned in the same direction as the anterior belly of the digastric muscle, were analyzed. The results showed that, in the anterior belly of the digastric muscle that is involved in mandibular movements in mice, the ratio of a fast-contraction isoform with strong contractile force increased after weaning. We believe that this occurred in response to a functional change from suckling to mastication. On the other hand, there was little change in the composition of sternohyoid muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study clarifies the internal structure of the mandibular condyle in dentulous and edentulous jaws; three-dimensional observation and morphological measurements were performed using micro-CT. The materials used in this study were 14 mandibular condyles each removed from the dentulous and edentulous cadavers. Internal structures of the mandibular condyle were morphologically analyzed in three anatomical planes. Additionally, morphometrical observations of the trabecular bone structure at five regions of interest and cortical bone thickness were performed. The mandibular condyle of dentulous jaws consisted predominantly of regularly aligned plate-shaped trabeculae. Conversely, edentulous jaws were predominantly irregularly aligned narrow rod-shaped trabeculae. The results of morphometrical analysis showed that trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) in the central region of the mandibular condyle most closely reflected the difference between dentulous and edentulous jaws. These results suggest that, in edentulous jaws, reduced masticatory function due to tooth loss affects the internal structures of mandibular condyle.

In an effort to clarify the morphologic characteristics of the palatopharyngeal muscle, we examined its origin, insertion, and positional relationship with other muscles. We found that the origin of the palatopharyngeal muscle was both the oral and the nasal side of the soft palate; it was also attached to both the palatal aponeurosis and the soft palate median. However, in some cases the muscle originated on the nasal side was lacked. When the palatopharyngeal muscle originated from both the oral and the nasal side, it traveled through its insertion via the levator muscle of the palatine velum. This insertion was seen in a wide area and could be divided into three parts: the pharynx anterior, central, and posterior walls. In the central pharyngeal wall, insertion into the pharyngeal aponeurosis, inferior constrictor pharyngeal muscle, and esophagus were observed. The present results suggest that the palatopharyngeal muscle has a close positional relationship with the levator and tensor muscles of the palatine velum, the pharyngeal constrictor muscles, and the esophagus.

To clarify the morphologic characteristics of the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle, which plays an important role in swallowing, the gross anatomy of the pterygopharyngeal, buccopharyngeal, mylopharyngeal, and glossopharyngeal parts of the muscle was examined. Morphology of the origin of the muscle at the buccopharyngeal part could be divided into three types: type A, membranous morphology from superior to inferior areas; type B, membranous only in superior area; and type C, complete lack of membrane. In all three types, the muscle at the buccopharyngeal part transitionally originated from the buccinator muscle. Morphology of the origin of the muscle at the mylopharyngeal part could be divided into two types: type A, tip of the origin on the mylohyoid line; and type B, tip of the origin away from the mylohyoid line. The present study found that the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle is attached to the buccinator muscle (which plays an important role in mastication) with mucosa and originates from the mandible and root of the tongue. These findings suggest that the superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle may also play an important role in the expression of smooth coordinated movements associated with ingestion, from mastication to swallowing.

The jaw bone is put in a special environmental condition because it receives not only external force through a masticatory muscle, but occlusal force directly from the teeth. Therefore, the morphology and internal structure of the jaw bone is strongly reflected by the erupted condition of the teeth. In the edentulous jaw bone, the number and thickness of the trabecular bones is reduced as well as decrease of its size. This tendency is quite resemble to the morphological change of osteoporosis. Based on the facts mentioned above, it is suggested that the loss of the teeth induces the fragility of the jaw bone. Therefore, maintenance of a healthy tooth is very important to keep the normal morphology of the jaw bone.

Purpose: The present study sought to clarify correlations of accessory nerve innervation in the neck region and innervation of the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles with postoperative dysfunction after functional neck dissection by macroscopic observation., Materials and Methods: The materials used in this study were 35 cadavers provided for anatomical practice to the Department of Anatomy, Tokyo Dental College. The accessory nerve was identified at the anterior margin of the trapezius muscle, and its innervation in the posterior triangle of the neck was examined in detail., Results: The superficial cervical vein vascularizes the anterior margin of the trapezius muscle near an area where the main trunk of the accessory nerve innervates the trapezius muscle. The results showed 3 types of accessory nerve innervation of the sternocleidomastoid muscle: Type A, the not penetrating type; Type B, the partially penetrating type; and Type C, the completely penetrating type. In addition, 5 types of innervation of the trapezius muscle by the main trunk and branches of the accessory nerve were apparent, with the number of branches innervating the muscle ranging from 0 to 4., Conclusions: Dysfunction after functional neck dissection can thus be avoided by paying attention to not only the main trunk of the accessory nerve, but also the branches. Moreover, when identifying accessory nerve innervation of the trapezius muscle, the superficial cervical vein may offer a useful surgical landmark.

The digastric muscle is one of the suprahyoid muscles and consists of the anterior and posterior bellies. Because muscle fiber alignments in these two bellies are different, the functional roles are said to be different. Since the digastric muscle relates to mastication, its functions may change markedly before and after weaning, but many details remain unknown. The aim of this study was to clarify changes in muscle fiber properties of the anterior and posterior bellies of the digastric muscle in mice before and after weaning. Expressions of myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms were assessed at the protein and transcriptional levels. Expression of the MyHC-2b isoform, an isoform displaying fast, strong contraction, was greater in the anterior belly than in the posterior belly after weaning. This suggests that, in mice, the anterior belly of the digastric muscle needs to move rapidly anteroposteriorly for mastication, compared with the posterior belly.

To elucidate the effects of teeth on muscle fibers in the tongue during the developmental process, we examined the expression of muscle contractile proteins and the genes for those proteins in normal mice and microphthalmic (mi/mi) mice with impaired tooth eruption. The mice were observed during the growth period, including weaning, which is when feeding movements undergo major changes. Expression of the myosin heavy chain (MyHC)-2a protein, whose contraction speed is relatively slow, disappeared after weaning in normal mice, while it remained in high concentrations even after weaning in mi/mi mice. The presence of MyHC-2a after weaning in mice with no tooth eruption was attributed to a compensation for lack of proper masticatory function and sucking-like movements, as MyHC-2a is necessary for these movements.

The present study examined the relationship between jaw movement and the site of attachment of the sphenomandibular ligament, which is involved in the control of lateral jaw movement. Major fibers of this ligament are attached to the sphenoid spine and the mandibular lingula. During early stages of embryonic development, however, this ligament is not attached to the sphenoid spine. No consensus has yet been reached concerning the time at which this ligament becomes attached to this spine. The present study was performed to resolve this question and to analyze the relationship of this event of jaw movement. Attachment of the sphenomandibular ligament to the sphenoid spine was observed in fetuses at a gestational age of about 8 months (32 weeks). This may be because fetuses undergo functional changes (initiation of jaw movement such as mastication and swallowing) at this gestational age. This finding suggests that the attachment of the sphenomandibular ligament to the sphenoid spine may be related to fetal jaw movements.

Background: This study was undertaken to elucidate the type and origin of collagen fibrils which construct the large tubules in deciduous coronal dentin by scanning electron microscope and anti-types I and III collagen antibody procedures., Methods: The studies were performed on human deciduous teeth. The teeth were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde solution and then fractured either mesio-distally parallel to the long axis of the tooth or transversely perpendicular to the long axis of the tooth crown. The specimens were three-dimensionally observed employing the scanning electron microscope to distinguish the content of large tubules. Polyclonal antibodies of anti-type I and anti-type III collagen with 20 nm colloidal gold, and secondary electron imaging and backscatter electron imaging of high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy were used to examine the types of collagen fibrils., Results: The large tubules extended from the vicinity of the incisal edge of the dentino-enamel junction to the pulp cavity. Inside the large tubules, fibers in compact bundles run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubules. The fiber bundles consisted of collagen fibrils which were 50-150 nm in diameter with typical cross striation. Immuno-scanning electron microscopy showed type I collagen-labelling gold particles and type III collagen-labelling gold particles to be abundant on the fibrils. Types I and III collagen-labelling gold particles were present on the banded collagen fibrils regardless of their diameter., Conclusions: It was found that type III collagen is present together with type I collagen on the fibrils constructing the large tubules of the human deciduous dentin. This immunohistochemical study suggested that the fibrils constructing the large tubules were derived from the von Korff fibers, and types I and III collagens formed copolymers.

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of tooth brushing on repair of alveolar bone after periodontal osseous surgery in the labial alveolar bone of rat incisor. The surgery was performed on 24 Wistar rats divided into 2 groups: the experimental group, which was subjected to tooth brushing, and the control group, which was not. In the experimental group, daily tooth brushing was initiated at 4 weeks after surgery. The rats were sacrificed after 1 or 2 weeks of tooth brushing. Microradiographic, light and fluorescence microscopic examinations were made of sections of the alveolar bone and its surrounding tissue. After 1 week of tooth brushing, callus with a low degree of mineralization and with large, irregularly arranged, young osteocytes appeared in the superficial layer and crest portion of alveolar bone in the brushing region. Numerous blood vessels had invaded the callus. In this region, the height of osteoblasts on the callus surface increased. At the alveolar crest region, the callus was approximately 3 times thicker than in the superficial region. After 2 weeks of tooth brushing, modification had occurred in the callus; this region had evolved into developed bone with a compact matrix. These findings suggest that the intermittent mechanical stress of tooth brushing is useful in activating the cells of the alveolar periosteum and in stimulating bone formation.

To visualize the cytoskeleton and to preserve the morphology of osteoblasts in the alveolar bone, rats were perfused with a mixture of Triton X-100 and a low concentration of glutaraldehyde, and their alveoli were observed under a transmission electron microscope. The alveolar bone osteoblasts contained a large number of fibers (5-6 nm in diameter) which seemed to be microfilaments. In the cytoplasm just below the cell membranes at the osteal cell surfaces, the microfilaments formed thick bundles distributed in parallel with the long axis of the cell. These findings suggest that, in rat alveolar bone osteoblasts, the bundles of microfilaments located immediately below the cell membranes at the osteal cell surfaces are stress fibers in situ.

The authors examined the microfilament of fibroblasts in rat calvarial periosteum by transmission electron microscopy after perfusing rats with a mixed solution of Triton X-100 and a low concentration of glutaraldehyde. Fibroblasts in the periosteum were fusiform and had elongated oval nuclei. Microfilaments with diameters of 5-6 nm were noted within the cytoplasm. Although these microfilaments were parallel to the long axis of the cell, stress fibers, which are thick bundles of microfilaments present in cultured fibroblasts, were not observed in these fibroblasts.

Formation of the enamel covering on the dentin of the tooth crown is thought to depend upon the dentin surface structure during the early stages of enamel development. For this reason, observations were made of the dentin surfaces of both the enamel-free area (EFA) and the region beneath the enamel area. After treatment with sodium hypochlorite and formic acid, scanning electron microscope observations were made of the EFA surface and the exposed dentin surface beneath the enamel of unerupted rat mandibular first molars. Cone-like projections consisting of matrix fibers were observed on the dentin surface covered with the enamel. These cone-like projections formed continuous ridges that connected with the network structure. At the concavities of these network structures these projections were distributed sparsely. Instead of the cone-like projections, the matrix fibers formed a coarse network structure along the surface at the EFA.

Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observation of the coronal dentin of deciduous incisors revealed microcanals and continuous zones of interglobular dentin (CID) in the labio-lingual central portion of dentin beneath the incisal edge. The microcanals, which were clearly larger than dentinal tubules, extended from the incisal edge to the vicinity of the pulp cavity. They were located essentially in the labio-lingual central portion of the dentin and were arranged linearly in the mesio-distal direction. Inside the microcanals, collagen fiber bundles were arranged almost in parallel with the canal long axis: spherical bodies 1.0-2.5 microns in size made up of assemblies of regular parallelpipedal crystals and granulated crystals were also seen. In some instances, bacteria had invaded incisal dentin that had been exposed by attrition. The CID were made up of interglobular dentin aligned with the long axis of the tooth. As was true in the case of the microcanals, several zones were arranged irregularly in the mesio-distal direction, generally in the labio-lingual central portion of the coronal dentin. The CID were confined to about half the width of the incisal edge dentin on the incisal edge side and did not appear in the vicinity of the pulp cavity. Within the interglobular dentin itself, which was surrounded by calcospherites, were longitudinal collagen fibers connected with dentinal tubule walls inside calcified dentin and collagen bundles forming a network with those fibers. Spherical bodies 1.0-1.5 microns in size were observed attached to the surfaces of the bundles or distributed among these fibers. In some instances, the microcanals penetrated the CID.