Development with Age of the Human Mandibular Condyle

Abstract

Developmental and age changes of the hard tissue in the human temporomandibular condyle were described. Radiographic procedures such as conventional and sliced fine-detail radiography with densitometric analysis were used. Macroscopic analysis of the condylar structures showed obvious morphological and architectural changes of the condylar head as the result of growth and aging. The cortical plate was completed at the end of the second decade and inner architecture reached full maturation in this same stage of development. After the third decade, the matured condylar structure gradually demonstrated osteoarthrotic change in the region of both the cortical plate and inner trabecular architecture.