title: Development of nerve fibres in the temporomandibular joint of the human fetus.
abstract: The development of nerve fibres in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in relation to the development of bone, muscle and fibre components was investigated in human fetuses ranging from 9 weeks of gestation to birth. Immunohistochemistry for the glia-associated protein S-100 and for the neuro-specific marker protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) were used; specimens were compared to specimens of adult TMJ capsule and disc. At 9-10 weeks, a small number of neural elements are already present in the connective tissue around the joint and in the mesenchyme between the two articular blastemas from which the disc will differentiate. By 19 weeks many nerve fibres are clearly visible. Immunohistochemical results suggest diffuse disc innervation extending along the entire disc but not in the thin central area. More complex structures, i.e. encapsulated corpuscles, were also seen. The fetal disc appears highly innervated compared to adult tissue; already at this developmental stage morphology and distribution of nerves and corpuscles in the joint capsule are comparable to those in the adult joint. It may be concluded that the innervation of the TMJ is detectable from the end of the second month and that it develops fully between the third and the fifth month of gestation. Nerve endings in the disc are most numerous at 20 weeks, after which a progressive reduction, possibly secondary to the growth of articular tissues, is observed throughout the last trimester of fetal life and into adult life. The innervation of the lateral pterygoid muscle, on the contrary, is much less than that seen in adult muscles, even at full-term.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Fisiopatologia Clinica, Università di Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ramieri
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bonardi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Morani
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Panzica
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Del Tetto
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arisio
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Preti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D024510:Muscle Development; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000294:innervation; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000502:physiology; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000294:innervation*; D013869:Thiolester Hydrolases / Q000032:analysis; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D009418:S100 Proteins; D013869:Thiolester Hydrolases; D043222:Ubiquitin Thiolesterase