Human temporomandibular joint morphogenesis.

Temporomandibular joint morphogenesis was studied. Ranging in age of fetuses examine was from 6 to 14 weeks’ gestation. Our results showed the condyle so first element that appear between 6° and 8° week (condylar blastema). After a week appear temporal elements. Disk appear at the same time of glenoid blastema and its reaches an advanced differentiation before of the condyle and temporal element, so these don’t effect mechanical compression on mesenchimal where we find the disk. So we think that the disk result of genetic expression and it isn’t the result of mechanical compression. The inferior joint cavity appear to 12 week. The superior joint appear to 13-14 week. In conclusion, the appearance of the condyle is the first event during TMJ morphogenesis, with its initial bud, in form of a mesenchymal thickening, becoming detectable between the sixth and eight week of development, when all the large joints of the limbs are already well defined