1. Histochemical study of the elastic fibers in pathologic human temporomandibular joint discs
- Author
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Rosalia Leonardi, Giovanni Bernasconi, Loredana Villari, and Mario Caltabiano
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Muscle Fibers, Skeletal ,Biomechanical compliance ,Contractile Proteins ,Temporomandibular Joint Disc ,medicine ,Humans ,Extracellular Matrix Proteins ,Histocytochemistry ,business.industry ,Anatomy ,Middle Aged ,Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ,Elastic Tissue ,Elastin ,Temporomandibular joint ,Staining ,Tissue Degeneration ,Oxytalan ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Otorhinolaryngology ,Elaunin ,Microfibrils ,Female ,Surgery ,Collagen ,Oral Surgery ,business ,Elastic fiber - Abstract
Purpose: This study investigated histochemically the elastic fibers in human temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discs with varying degrees of tissue degeneration/regeneration to determine whether there are differences that correlate with the histologic findings. Materials and Methods: Ten diseased human TMJ discs and 2 control specimens were studied histochemically by staining with Weigert's resorcin-fuchsin after oxidation with peracetic acid. This technique selectively stains elastic, elaunin, (pre-elastic), and oxytalan fibers. Results: In TMJ discs with an abnormal collagen fiber arrangement, an increased number of oxytalan fibers could be observed, contrary to discs with scar-like tissue transformation in which oxytalan fibers were decreased in number. In discs showing tears and clefts, the oxytalan fibers run perpendicular to the defects, whereas elaunin and elastic fibers were mainly circumferentially arranged. In discs with chondroid metaplasia, elastic, elaunin, and oxytalan fibers were extensively detected. Conclusions: It is hypothesized that the elastic, elauinin, and oxytalan fibers found in severely damaged discs appear to ensure biomechanical compliance by reinforcing regions devoid of collagen bundles and thus function as shock absorbers of stretch and compression. © 2001 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
- Published
- 2001