The vascular and nerve supply to the temporomandibular joint of the rat

Abstract

1. 1. Rats of varying ages were used in a study of the vascular and nervo supply to the intra-articular components of the temporomandibular articulation. The blood vessels were demonstrated by the saline-India ink-gelatin perfusion method, whereas the nerves were demonstrated by Pearson's silver gelatin method. 2. 2. A rich vascular plexus was seen forming circumferentially a “crown” around the central region of the disc. No blood vessels were found in the thin central portion of the dise. 3. 3. Capillary loops were found located most prominently in the articular surfaces of the disc, and their position may be important for the production of the synovial fluid. 4. 4. Nerves were traced into the articular dise, terminating as free nerve endings near the thin avascular central area. 5. 5. Specialized encapsulated and bulbs whose function probably is for proprioception were observed in the synovial villi projecting into the mandibular compartment.