Calcified cartilage zone and its dimensional relationship to the articular cartilage in the human temporomandibular joint of elderly individuals

Authors

  • Lennart Flygare Departments of Oral Radiology Periodontologyand Stomatognathic Physiology, Lund University, Centre for Oral Health Sciences, Malmö, Sweden; Department of Statistics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
  • Bjorn Klinge Departments of Oral Radiology Periodontologyand Stomatognathic Physiology, Lund University, Centre for Oral Health Sciences, Malmö, Sweden; Department of Statistics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
  • Madeleine Rohlin Departments of Oral Radiology Periodontologyand Stomatognathic Physiology, Lund University, Centre for Oral Health Sciences, Malmö, Sweden; Department of Statistics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
  • Sigvard Akerman Departments of Oral Radiology Periodontologyand Stomatognathic Physiology, Lund University, Centre for Oral Health Sciences, Malmö, Sweden; Department of Statistics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
  • Jan Lanke Departments of Oral Radiology Periodontologyand Stomatognathic Physiology, Lund University, Centre for Oral Health Sciences, Malmö, Sweden; Department of Statistics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3109/00016359309041164

Keywords:

Autopsy, cartilage, articular, microscopy, temporomandibular joint

Abstract

The aim was to describe the appearance of the calcified cartilage zone (CCZ) and to determine its dimensional relationship to the articular cartilage thickness in the normal human temporomandibular joint. An autopsy material comprising 21 joints from 12 elderly individuals was examined microscopically. The appearance of the CCZ was examined, and the thickness of the CCZ and of the total articular cartilage was measured in 18 different positions in each joint. The CCZ was outlined by a flat or gently undulating tidemark and an irregular osteochondral junction. The cellularity of the CCZ varied extensively. The cells were numerous in the CCZ when the overlying articular cartilage displayed high cellularity. Statistical analysis of the measurements demonstrated a relationship (p < 0.001) between the thickness of the CCZ and of the articular cartilage. Our findings, both qualitative and quantitative, indicate a close relationship between the physiology of the CCZ and of the overlying articular cartilage.

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Published

1993-01-01

Issue

Vol. 51 No. 3 (1993): Acta Odontologica Scandinavica

Section

Articles