Ossification of the Temporal Bone and Mandibular Condyle in the Human Fetus: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Histological studies of the temporomandibular joint in human fetuses in the gestational stages of 12 and 14 weeks were performed. The aim of the study was to compare the formation of osteoid tissue between the temporal bone and the mandibular condyle at the indicated stages of development. Methods: Histological sections were sectioned serially in sagittal planes 8 ????m wide and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. The total amount of osteoid tissue was calculated for each histological section in the temporal bone and mandibular condyle by ImageJ software. Statistical analysis: Student's T was used to compare the results of the ossification areas Results. The percentages of osteoid tissue formation in the temporal bone were higher than in the mandibular condyle and were even more evident at 14 weeks of prenatal development. The differences were extremely significant for both weeks of gestation studied. Conclusion: osteoid tissue was observed occupying larger areas in the zone near the glenoid cavity in the temporal bone at 12 and 14 weeks of gestation than in the mandibular condyle. In the condyle the formation of osteoid tissue was located at the neck level