The surface structure of the temporomandibular joint disk: a scanning electron microscopic study

The surface appearance of seven temporomandibular joint disks obtained at postmortem has been studied by scanning electron microscopy. Two of the disks had lateral perforations which corresponded, in position, to macroscopic changes in the condylar and temporal joint components. The nature of the disk surfaces has been described. The central portion of the disks consisted of tightly bound collagen bundles; the bundles of the anterior and posterior parts were more loosely bound and irregularly orientated. The implications of the findings have been discussed in terms of articular function and dysfunction and of disease processes within the joint.