Structure and growth activities of the mandibular condyle in monkeys (Macaca fascicularis): I. Intracondylar variations

Eight condyles of four growing monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) of estimated ages between 1.6 and 3.6 years (minimum and maximum) were analyzed using radioautographic, histometric, and stereologic techniques. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between intracondylar variations in structure and growth activities. The animals received 3H-proline (1 mCi/kg body weight) and 3H-thymidine (0.5 mCi/kg body weight) 24 and 3 hours, respectively, prior to sacrifice. The perichondral and chondral layers of the condylar articular covering as well as the subchondral zone of erosion were examined at different sampling sites distributed systematically in the antero-posterior and lateromedial dimension of the articulating surface. Intracondylar variations observed with respect to morphometric and radioautographic parameters suggest the following biologic mechanisms contributing to mandibular growth in a superior-posterior direction. Greater mitotic activity at the central and posterior sites of the condylar perichondrium generates a population of progenitor cells that is larger in these than in other regions. On the other hand, the rate of differentiation of these progenitor cells into chondroblasts and chondrocytes, i.e., the "migration" into and through the chondral layers of the articulating covering, seems to be enhanced in the same superior and posterior areas. Additionally, while "migrating" faster, these cartilage cells become larger and produce greater amounts of extracellular matrix than those in the anterior parts of the condyle. Finally, enhanced resorptive activities in the superior and posterior regions of the subchondral zone of erosion provide an increased "loss" of degenerated chondrocytes, thereby establishing the basis for a cartilaginous drift in the superior-posterior direction.