title: Morphological features in the embryological development of the anterior arch of the mandible.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Our study is focused on the typical morphological features of the development of the mandible. There were investigated both specific elements for the ossification process as well as aspects of the developing tooth germs.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed transmission electron microscopy analyses on sections obtained from 15 human embryos aged between 6 and 20 weeks. The sections were acquired from specific areas of the anterior arch of the mandible, corresponding to the sites of development of the tooth germs, namely the incisors and the canines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were observed some characteristic elements for the intramembranous ossification process (mesenchymal cells, collagen fibers, osteoblasts, bony spicules), and for the different stages of odontogenesis (bud, cap).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results confirm the important role of this territory and highlight the primary elements of the intramembranous ossification and of the odontogenesis, as essential steps in the development of the head and the face.
authors.affiliation: School of Stomatologic Medicine, Department of Histology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Gr. T. Popa Iaşi.
authors.forename: I D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Căruntu
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morăraşu
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Burlui
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ciobanu
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008334:Mandible / Q000196:embryology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009805:Odontogenesis; D010012:Osteogenesis