HISTOLOGICAL AND MICRORADIOGRAPHICAL STUDIES OF HUMAN MANDIBULAR CONDYLE

Twenty-one clinically normal human mandibular condyles were examined by histologic and microradiographic methods obtaining some measurements. The histological structures of condyle were quite different between the child group and other aged groups. The difference in the surface articular zone composed of the fibrous tissue was not so great in all age groups, while there was quite a difference in the structure in the remaining zones. It was clearly demonstrated by microradiogram that the osteons of the subarticular bone plate were more prominent in aging. Abnormal structures of the condyle were revealed in some individuals of the adult and old age groups, which were assumed probably to be the reactive remodelling against the functional changes of the temporomandibular joint.