Contribution of Meckel's Cartilage to Ossification of the Mandible in Mice

Abstract

The role of Meckel's cartilage in prenatal and neonatal osteogenesis of the mandible was studied in mice. Three ossification processes, two intramembranous and one endochondral, occurred concurrently in the anterior part of the mandible. The contribution of Meckel's cartilage was a transient one, but related to possible congenital defects.