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Developmental mechanism of muscle-tendon-bone complex in the fetal soft palate

Michiyuki Nara1, Kei Kitamura1, Masahito Yamamoto1

  • 1Department of Anatomy, Tokyo Dental College, 2-9-18 Misaki-cho, Tokyo, Japan.

Archives of Oral Biology
|June 16, 2017
PubMed

Insights

The study reveals how the tensor veli palatini (TVP) muscle, palatine aponeurosis, and medial pterygoid process (MPP) bone interact during development to form a crucial muscle-tendon-bone complex.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Craniofacial development
  • Musculoskeletal development

Background:

  • The formation of complex musculoskeletal structures is essential for function.
  • Understanding the organogenesis of the tensor veli palatini (TVP) muscle, palatine aponeurosis, and medial pterygoid process (MPP) is key to comprehending pulley system development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the developmental interplay between the palatine aponeurosis, medial pterygoid process (MPP) of the sphenoid bone, and tensor veli palatini (TVP) muscle.
  • To elucidate the formation of the pulley: muscle-tendon-bone complex.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized mouse models at embryonic days (ED) 14-17.
  • Employed Azan staining for morphology, desmin staining for myotendinous junction development.
  • Used type II collagen (col II), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining to assess bone formation, alongside morphometric analysis of the MPP and osteoclast counting.

Main Results:

  • Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was observed in the MPP from ED 14 to 14.5.
  • Type II collagen (col II) expression peaked at ED 16.5 and decreased by ED 17.
  • The tensor veli palatini (TVP) contacted the palatine aponeurosis at ED 16.5, coinciding with significant increases in MPP size and TRAP-positive osteoclasts.

Conclusions:

  • The interaction during organogenesis, involving muscle, tendon, and bone, drives the rapid growth of the pulley: muscle-tendon-bone complex.
  • This complex formation is crucial for craniofacial development and function.
Abstract

Keywords:
CartilageCleft palateGrowth/DevelopmentHistochemistryMorphogenesisMuscle biology

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