CALCIFIED CARTILAGE ZONE AND ITS DIMENSIONAL RELATIONSHIP TO THE ARTICULAR-CARTILAGE IN THE HUMAN TEMPOROMANDIBULAR-JOINT OF ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS

The aim was to describe the appearance of the calcified cartilage zone (CCZ) and to determine its dimensional relationship to the articular cartilage thickness in the normal human temporomandibular joint. An au topsy material comprising 21 joints from 12 elderly individuals was ex amined microscopically. The appearance of the CCZ was examined, and th e thickness of the CCZ and of the total articular cartilage was measur ed in 18 different positions in each joint. The CCZ was outlined by a flat or gently undulating tidemark and an irregular osteochondral junc tion. The cellularity of the CCZ varied extensively. The cells were nu merous in the CCZ when the overlying articular cartilage displayed hig h cellularity. Statistical analysis of the measurements demonstrated a relationship (p < 0.001) between the thickness of the CCZ and of the articular cartilage. Our findings, both qualitative and quantitative, indicate a close relationship between the physiology of the CCZ and of the overlying articular cartilage.