title: Comparison between human and rat TMJ: anatomic and histopathologic features.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe and evaluate normal rat temporomandibular joints from anatomic and histopathologic point of view and make a comparison between this joint in rats and humans.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve male adult Wistar rats (12 same side joints) were used in this procedure. The following anatomical structures were histologically evaluated in a qualitative fashion: condyle, disc, temporal bone, retrodiscal tissue and synovia. The macroscopical and microscopic study of the human TMJ was based on the current literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The TMJ is surrounded by a thin capsule, consisting of fibrous tissue, and a synovial lining. The mandibular angle has a prominent shape. The glenoid fossa is flat, with no eminences. Histologically, the TMJ is composed of different tissues that comprise the mandibular head, mandibular fossa and fibrocartilaginous disc. A layer of hyaline cartilage covers the articulating cortical condyle and temporal bone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Morphologically and histologically, the articular structure of rats is, on the whole, similar to that of humans. In these animals there is no articular eminence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, UPE, Recife, PE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gabriela Granja
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Porto
authors.forename: Belmiro Cavalcanti do Egito
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Vasconcelos
authors.forename: Emanuel Sávio de Souza
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.forename: Valdemiro Amaro
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Silva-Junior
mesh_terms: D000717:Anatomy, Comparative; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D023421:Models, Animal; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D013704:Temporomandibular Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000166:cytology*; D019224:Temporomandibular Joint Disc / Q000033:anatomy & histology