Analysis by Light, Scanning, and Transmission Microscopy of the Intima Synovial of the Temporomandibular Joint of Human Fetuses during the Development

Carlos Sabu Alvez,Sergio R Marques,Roberto C Tedesco,Luis Otavio Carvalho De Moraes,Leandro J C Harb,Jose F Rodríguez-Vázquez,Jose R Mérida-Velasco,Luis Garcia Alonso

doi:10.1155/2014/732720

Abstract

Objective. To characterize morphologically and ultrastructurally using light microscopy, the scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy the intima synovial of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) of human fetuses between the 10th and the 38th week of development. Materials and Methods. The TMJ was dissected bilaterally in 37 human fetuses belonging to the Institute of Embryology of the University Complutense of Madrid and of the Federal University of São Paulo. Results. The outcome by light microscopy showed the morphology of the TMJ and that the formation of inferior joint cavity precedes the superior joint cavity and the presence of blood vessels in the synovial. Conclusion. By scanning and transmission electron microscopy we observed the presence of two well-defined cell types in the intima layer of synovial of the TMJ of human fetuses, macrophage-like type A cell and fibroblast-like type B cell, and the presence of the a third cell type, defined by the name of intermediate lining cell in the intima layer of the synovial.

Highlights

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a specialized synovial joint essential for the function of the mammalian jaw
We studied 37 human fetuses belonging to the Institute of Embryology of the University Complutense of Madrid and of the Federal University of Sao Paulo
In specimens of 10th weeks of development shows the outline of the TMJ articular disc disposed between the mandibular condyle and the squamous part of the temporal bone

Summary

Introduction

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a specialized synovial joint essential for the function of the mammalian jaw. The synovial consists of two layers: one cellular intima layer and another for support, the vascular subintima layer, which combines with the articular capsule. The subintima layer consists of loose and vascularized connective tissue, with spread out fibroblasts, macrophages, mastocytes, adipose cells, and some elastic fibers that prevent the pleating of the [6,7,8,9,10,11,12]. The intima layer has cells with phagocytic ability called macrophage-like type A cell. This same layer has cells called fibroblast-like B cells, which synthesize proteins, glycoproteins, and proteoglycans [9, 10, 13,14,15,16]

Methods

Results

Conclusion