Abstract:

Objective:The purpose of this study was to study the adaptive alterations in the bilaminar zone (BZ) of temporomandibular joint following disc displacement. Methods: Thirty Japanese white rabbits were used in this study. The right joints of 24 rabbits were subjected to surgical disc displacement (DD) . The sections were studied using hematoxylin and eosin, Alcin bluin and Res-orcin-fuchsin staining, and in situ detection of apoptosis.Results: Apoptotic chondrocytes in bilaminar zone were most obviously at 1 or 2 weeks after operation. Following alterations could be also found in bilaminar zones using microscopy: derangement, fragment, hylination of collagen fibers and diminution in the number of cell. Elastic fibers reduced in number and ran irregularly. Conclusion: The bilaminar zone will be remodeled following disc displacement and become a disc-like tissue. So, the bilaminar zone may function as a disc after disc displacement.