Histological Study on Bone Remodeling of Aged Human Mandibular Condyles

It is considered that osteoarthritis mainly affects articular cartilage, and the pathological mechanism involves both degenerative changes of the cartilage and bony changes. However, it has been indicated that the human temporomandibular joint has a higher capacity for remodeling. The causes and mechanisms of bony changes of human mandibular condyles have been a matter of speculation. In this study, we investigated human mandibular condyles by employing various microscopic investigations involving an electron probe micro analyzer and transmission electron microscope in addition to light microscopic observation. The results indicate that adaptive bony changes in the functional articular surface of mandibular condyles are brought about by cartilage calcification. Furthermore, the findings of cartilage calcification suggest the possibility of matrix-vesicle-mediated mineralization in the remodeling of aged human mandibular condyles.