Revascularization of the rabbit temporomandibular joint after surgical intervention: a histologic and microangiographic study.
Postsurgical revascularization of the rabbit temporomandibular joint (TMJ) after discoplasty was studied at the gross and microscopic levels. Surgical disruption of the lateral and medial articular blood vessels resulted in revascularization of the joint by the transverse facial artery. Deep branches of the transverse facial artery provided vascular supply to the anterior TMJ until the lateral and medial articular vessels could be re-established. The greatest change in vascularity was observed between the second and third postoperative weeks. It was concluded that discoplasty in the rabbit TMJ is a biologically sound surgical procedure, with the majority of vascularity re-established by three weeks and complete healing at six weeks.
D000792:Angiography; D000818:Animals; D002196:Capillaries / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery; D004210:Dissection; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery; D008852:Microradiography; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011817:Rabbits; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery