The microanatomy of the rhesus monkey temporomandibular joint

Purpose: The objective of this study was to describe and compare the histol ogy of the rhesus monkey temporomandibular joint (TMJ) with that of the hum an joint. Materials and Methods: Seventeen rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) with an ag e range from 4 to Il years were used. Both TMJs of the first animal and the left TMJs of the remaining 16 animals were used for this study. The joint specimens were sectioned sagittally and processed for light and electron mi croscopic studies. Results: The rhesus monkey TMJ consists of the condylar, glenoid fossa, and articular disc components. The histology of these components is described at the light and electron microscopic level. Conclusions: The monkey TMJ was found to be anatomically similar to the hum an joint. It was concluded that the rhesus monkey is one of the most suitab le animal models for studies involving the TMJ. (C) 2001 American Associati on of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.