Age-related changes of the retrodiscal tissues in the temporomandibular joint.
OBJECTIVE
This study compares the histologic features of the lateral capsule and lateral and central posterior disc attachment of temporomandibular joints (TMJs) in young and elderly persons.


METHODS
Samples were removed from 36 joints belonging to young persons (mean age, 30 years; age range, 16 to 39 years) and 29 joints belonging to elderly persons (mean age, 69 years; age range, 58 to 78 years). Twelve joints from elderly persons had altered disc position, whereas none of the young joints had this condition. Six-micrometer-thick sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and the Fränkel method (for elastic fibers). Logistic regression analysis using a likelihood-ratio test was applied for comparisons between groups and to avoid the confounding effect of differences in disc position and gender.


RESULTS
A significantly lower density of fibroblasts was observed in elderly persons in all the three areas investigated. In addition, elderly persons demonstrated a significantly lower distribution of vascular tissue and a significantly higher presence of dense connective tissue in the central third of the posterior disc attachment.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that retrodiscal tissues, which may eventually function as an articular disc during altered disc position, are susceptible to age-related connective tissue changes.
Pereira Júnior
F J
FJ
Department of Stomatognathic Physiology, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.
Lundh
H
H
Westesson
P L
PL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003238:Connective Tissue; D004547:Elastic Tissue; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts; D006801:Humans; D017746:Joint Capsule / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology