Characterization of temporomandibular joint disc in human by histological and biochemical analyses

Abstract

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is characterized by mandibular condyles, capsule, lateral pterygoid, articular surface of the temporal bone, ligaments, and articular disc. For this study the focus is complex articular disc attachments. The main component of the disc is fibrocartilage while its extracellular matrix (ECM) is predominantly composed of collagen type II, sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and proteoglycans. The purpose is to use histological techniques to investigate components of TMJ disc attachments and quantify constituents of the disc using biochemical assays. Microscopic investigation of attachments provides information to understanding the mechanics of the TMJ disc and an understanding of the relationship between disc and attachments. Six (6) fresh un‐embalmed TMJ disc‐attachment complexes were dissected from willed body donors. TMJ discs were further dissected into five regions and disc attachments were dissected into six regions to emulate a previous study by Willard et al (2011), which used porcine TMJ. Histology and biochemical assays were performed on each region to quantify ECM components. Histological analysis provided information on distribution of components in the complex.Grant Funding Source: None