Histological Characteristics of Mandible in Fetal Mice

It is well known that mandible bone is formed by intramembranous ossification. Mandible condyle cartilage and angular cartilage are recognized as secondary cartilage, which differs from primary cartilage in morphological and biochemical organization. These are interesting research subjects from a clinical point of view as they compose the TMJ. We examined the mandible, mandible condyle cartilage and angular cartilage of fetal mice using histology, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization techniques. Chondroid bone and chondrocyte like cells were observed during the mandible osteogenic process. The characteristics of mandible condyle cartilage and angular cartilage were slightly different from those of normal physiological articular cartilage.