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Biological Systems: Open Access Rashed, Biol syst Open Access 2015, 4:2
DOI: 10.4172/2329-6577.1000147
ISSN: 2329-6577

Research Article Open Access

A Comparative Study of the Dentition and Temporomandibular Joint

Anatomy and Histology Adult Dogs
Fatma Rashed*
Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Damanhour University, Egypt
*Corresponding author: Fatma Rashed, Assistant Lecturer of Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Damanhour University, Egypt, Tel: +01227425762; E-mail:
[email protected]
Rec date: Sep 14, 2015; Acc date: Nov 18, 2015; Pub date: Nov 26, 2015
Copyright: © 2015 Rashed F. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use,
distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Abstract

Purpose: To describe and evaluate normal adult dog dentition and temporomandibular joint anatomically and
histologically in comparison to humans.

Method: Five adult dogs (6-12 months old) were used in this study. The following anatomical structures were
histologically evaluated in a qualitative fashion: Teeth and related bony structures mandible, mandibular condyle,
disc, Zygomatic arch, temporal bone, glenoid fossa, retrodiscal tissue and synovia. The macroscopical and
microscopic study of the human TMJ was based on the current literature.

Results: Dogs have three Incisors, one canine, four premolars, and 2 molars in the upper and 3 molars in the
lower jaw. The TMJ is surrounded by a thin fibrous tissue capsule, and a synovial lining. The mandibular angle has a
prominent shape. The glenoid fossa is flat, with extended mediolaterally with retroarticular process. Histologically,
the TMJ is composed of different tissues that comprise the mandibular head, mandibular fossa and fibrocartilaginous
disc. A layer of fibrous tissue covers the articulating cortical condyle and temporal bone followed by a layer of
hyaline cartilage.

Conclusion: Morphologically and numerically dog's teeth are different from humans. Morphologically and
histologically, the articular structure of dogs is, on the whole, similar to that of humans. In these animals there is no
articular eminence, but they have a retroarticular process.

Introduction human bone to be used as a model for human orthopedic conditions

[11]. The highly tractable nature of dogs can be beneficial during the
Animals are being used in research and experiments in an attempt postoperative healing phase where they may be trained to take an
to find a cure for many diseases and disorders that are affecting the active part in recuperative protocols [11].
humans. Historically animal testing was found in the writings of the
Greeks in the second and fourth centuries Before Christ. One of the
pioneers to perform experiments on living animals was Aristotle [1]. Dog's teeth
Where Galen is known as the "father of vivisection because he
Dogs are "diphyodont" having two sets of teeth, "28 deciduous teeth"
dissected pigs and goats [2]. Moorish Spain used animals as an
being shed and replaced by a "42 permanent ones" set [12]. Dogs have
experimental method of testing surgical procedures before applying
no deciduous precursor for the first premolar a single tooth erupts here
them to human patients [3]. Louis Pasteur demonstrated the germ
at about 5 months [13].
theory of medicine by inducing anthrax in sheep [4]. In the 1890s, Ivan
Pavlov used dogs to describe classical conditioning [5]. Insulin was Dog's teeth have thin enamel, probably because carnivores eat
first isolated from dogs in 1922 [6]. Using armadillos in the 1970s, nonabrasive food and chew little. The enamel has a lower inorganic
antibiotic treatments and vaccines for leprosy were developed [7,8]. content 90% than that of human teeth, a factor that makes the teeth
more opaque and whiter in appearance (Table 1 and 2).

Dogs as experimental animals

Dental Formulae
Dogs have been used for ages in surgical research, drug testing and
in researching dog's disorders that are similar to human diseases [9]. It Deciduous I 3/3 c1/1 p3/3 M2/3 =14
has been used as a model for many human conditions as
cardiovascular research, diabetes mellitus, ulcerative colitis, open-heart Permanent I3/3 c1/1 p3/3 M2/3 =14
surgery, organ transplantation, pharmacology and toxicology [10]. The
dog is one of the most frequently used large animal species for Table 1: Dental formulae.
musculoskeletal and dental research. Unlike other animal species,
there is a considerable amount of literature comparing canine and

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Soft tissue components of the TMJ (Macroscopical

Tooth Eruption procedure)
Deciduous Permanent Dissection was performed, using a surgical instrument, starting
from the external surface, observing all anatomic structures related to
Incisors 4-6 weeks 3-5 months the TMJ. The following tissues were removed: Subcutaneous tissue,
Canine 5-6 weeks 4-6 months
blood vessels, nerves, parotid gland, masseter muscle, temporalis
muscle and adipose tissue. For comparing our results with the human
Premolars 6 weeks 4-5 months TMJ, we based our description of the human TMJ on specific literature
[16,20,21]. Photographs were taken to illustrate details of dentition and
Molars 5-7 months [14]
TMJ anatomy using Canon PowerShot A3300IS digital camera

Table 2: Tooth eruption. Tissue preparation for histological procedures

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) (Tissue Preparation for light microscopic procedures) [22] -Blocks
of tissue containing the TMJs on both sides were isolated and dissected
The temporomandibular joint is a group of anatomic structures that, out using a band saw. Following excision, tissues were immediately
with a special group of muscles, is responsible for the movement of the fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for 24 hours, transferred to
mandible during mastication [15]. It is classified as a hinge-sliding 70%, 90%, absolute ethanol, then xyline and embedded in paraffin.
joint; it has a unique structure and function. It consists of the condylar Sections were cut to 4 μm thickness and processed for standard
process of the mandibular ramus, the mandibular fossa of the temporal staining with haematoxylin and eosin and gomori’s trichrome stain.
bone, a thin articular disc, and a loose joint capsule, which is
strengthened by a fibrous lateral ligament. [16] TMJ is a cardinal
Results
feature that defines the class Mammalia and separates mammals from
other vertebrates [17], its structure is interesting because of its
constituent bones, the mandible and the squamous temporal, are Gross anatomy of teeth and TMJ of adult dog
intramembranous in origin. Thus, the tissue that covers each Our observations revealed the following:
articulating surface is a secondary cartilage with a fibrous skin, derived
from the periosteum. Dental features
Teeth are large in size with the roots being much longer than the
Materials and Method
crowns, and the root trunk in premolars and molars is almost not
Five young mongrel dogs with fully erupted deciduous teeth, aged present (Figure 1).
between 3-4 months and weighing about 5-7 kg were used. Three of
Incisors: Maxillary incisors are broad mesiodistally from the labial
the five animals were used to study the anatomical features of dentition
aspect, the 1st is the smallest and the shortest of all incisors, the crown
and TMJ components, while the other two were used for the
is approximately one third the length of the root. The incisal surface is
histological investigation of the TMJ.
formed of three rounded elevations and the central elevation in the
For anatomical dissection, extraction of teeth and histological incisal surface that is elongated and presenting a close resemblance to
procedure the animals were euthanized by over doses of anesthesia, canine cusp. The 2nd is similar to the first but slightly longer, while the
ketamine intra muscular injection (normal dose 3-8 milligram/kg 3rd resembles the canine but much smaller in size and its root is broad
body weight). [18] Heads were decapitated, then skin removed and angular and curved distally to a great extend ending in a square apex
heads were washed. (Figure 1).Mandibular incisors are thinner and longer than the
maxillary incisors. They increase in length and width gradually from
Gross anatomy of dentition and TMJ the first to the third incisor. The roots are straight and have very
narrow apices (Figure 1).
Dentition features Canines: They are the longest teeth in the arch; the crown is about
Anatomical features of dentition regarding the number of the three quarter the length of root in maxillary canine which is slightly
different groups of teeth, shape of crown and number, and shape of longer and slightly more curved than the mandibular one. The root is
roots were examined after complete removal of the soft tissues broad mesiodistally and ends with a round blunt apex in both (Figure
surrounding the jaws. 1).
Premolars: Maxillary first premolar: It is the shortest and smallest of
TMJ bony components and their relations to each other all maxillary teeth, the crown is very short occlusocervically but broad
Soft tissues were removed by scalpel and scissors. The remaining mesiodistally, and it has one small cusp pointed distally. It has one
tissue remnants adherent to the bone were removed by boiling the short root with a blunt apex. Maxillary second and third premolars:
skulls in water then bleaching with 30% H2O2 solution [19]. They are exactly of the same morphology with the third being slightly
larger. The crown has two cusps one large mesial and a much smaller
distal one separated by a deep groove. The crown surface is slightly
convex on the facial surface and more concave on the palatal surface.
They have two widely separated roots; one mesial and one distal, the
distal root is wider cervically than the mesial one, and each taper

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apically to a blunt apex. There is almost no visible root trunk. Bony components of TMJ of adult dog and their relations to
Maxillary fourth premolar: It is the largest tooth in the maxillary arch, each other
it is slightly wider mesially than distally, it has 2 cusps, the mesial one is
wide and pointed, but the distal one is smaller and more flat, both The joint is located anteroir and slightly superior to the eustachian
separated by a short deep groove that ends with a large pit on the tube and Tymbanic bulla, bellow the posterior end of zygomatic arch
buccal surface of the crown. The facial surface is convex while the (Figure 2A) the glynnoid fossa in which the condylar head articulates
palatal is flat. It has three roots; 2 mesial and one distal, the is oval in shape and directed mediolateraly (Figure 2B and 3A), it has a
mesiolingual one is the thinnest and the shortest while the distal is the small rounded elvation on the posterior end called the retroarticular
broadest and the longest. Mandibular premolars: They are very similar process ,and a flat smooth anterior and lateral ends(Figure 2A, 2B and
to the maxillary ones except the fourth mandibular premolar, which is 3A). The zygomatic arch is composed of two bones the zygomatic bone
similar to the third mandibular premolar and not to the maxillary and the zygomatic process of the temporal bone. It covers the dorsal
fourth premolar (Figure 1). part of the coronoid process (Figure 2A). The Mandible is composed of
two halves joind together by symphesis mentalis (Figure 3B) it has a
Molars: Maxillary first molar: The crown appears triangular from long body which carries the teeth, a long rounded coronoid process
the occlusal view with the apex of the triangle pointing lingually, it that forms a shallow mandibular notch with the condyle which ends
contains three large cusps; two buccal and one lingual with a deep slightly above the occlusal surface of molars. There is a deep V-shaped
circular central fossa, the lingual cusp is subdivides into three smaller depression on the ramus in which the masseter muscle is attatched
elevations; one mesial and two distal. The mesial surface of the crown called the massetertic fossa,the mandibular angle is proturuded
is convex while the distal surface is concave. It has three roots two backward and forms a wide acute angle with the condyle(Figure
buccal and one lingual, the buccal roots are small, short, and have 2C).The condylar head is smooth, narrow antroposteriorly and wide
irregular rounded apices. The lingual root is the shortest and widest of mediolateraly. It is perpendicular to the occlusal plane of teeth and
them all and has a wide flat square apex (Figure 1). Maxillary second slightly angulated in relation to the coronoid process (Figure 3B).
molar: It is the shortest tooth in the oral cavity. From the occlusal
surface, it is very similar to the first molar but smaller in size. The
distobuccal root is fused to the lingual root (Figure 1). Mandibular first
molar: It is the largest tooth in the mandibular arch and it is very wide
mesiodistally. From the facial view it has three cusps; with the middle
being the largest, and the distal being the shortest, from the occlusal
view there are five cusps, three on the mesial side and two on the distal
separated from each other by a deep fossa. It has two roots similar in
size, broad cervically and with almost no root trunk (Figure 1).
Mandibular second molar: It is broad mesiodistally than
buccolingually, with three cusps; two long mesial cusps and one short
distal cusp, separated by a shallow circular fossa. It has two roots, the
mesial is thin, and distal slightly thinker and both are curved distally
(Figure 1). Mandibular third molar: It is very small tooth having a
rounded crown with two very shallow circular fossae and no distinct
cusps; it has only one short conical root (Figure 1).

Figure 2: (A-C) Photograph of adult dog skull. A. lateral view

showing parietal bone (Par), Temporal bone (T), Frontal bone (F),
Premaxilla (Pm), Maxilla (M), Zygomatic bone (Z), Zygomatic
process of temporal bone(Zpt), Coronoid process (Cp), Condyle
(Cd), Mandibular Angle (MA), Ramus (R), Body of mandible (BM),
Eustachian tube (Eu), Mental foramen (Mn) (arrows).B.
Ventrolateral view of the skull showing structure, relations and
shape of the Glenoid fossa (Gf), Retro articular process (Rap),
Tympanic Bulla (TB). C. Medial view of mandible revealing:
Figure 1: Showing the dentition of adult dog from the facial view, Mandibular notch (Mn), Mandibular foramen (Mf) (arrow).
Maxillary teeth [Max], Mandibular teeth [Mand], Incisors(In),
Canine (Ca),Premolars (Pre), Molars (Mo), Mesial view (Mes) and
Occlusal view (Occ).

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Figure 4: (A-D) Photographs showing the steps of dissection for the

location of adult dog's TMJ after removal of skin and subcutaneous
tissue. A. Lateral view showing attachment of Masseter muscle
(Mm) to lower border of Body mandible (BM) bellow the
Zygomatic arch (Z), and in front of Eustachian tube (Eu). B. After
removing a layer of masseter muscle. C. The masseter muscle was
removed completely to reveal the Masseteric fossa (Mf). Note the
Figure 3: (A, B) Photographs of the skull and mandible of adult dog.
Mandibular angle (MA), Condyle (Cd), and Zygomatic arch (Z). D.
A. Ventral surface of skull showing, Premaxillary bone (Pm),
Showing lower joint cavity (arrow) and the disc is still attached to
Maxilla(M), Frontal bone (F), Zygomatic arch (Z), Temporal bone
the Glenoid fossa (Gf).
(T),Glenoid fossa (Gf), Tympanic bulla (TB). B. Dorsal surface of
the mandible showing, Symphysis mentalis(S), Coronoid process
(Cp), and Condyle (Cd).
Histological structure of TMJ of adult dog: Mandibular
condyle
Soft tissue components of TMJ of adult dog Mandibular condyle
The skin and subcutaneous tissue was removed, the masseter muscle The articular surface of adult dog's condyle is covered by a broad
which was extending from the zygomatic arch to the lower border and fibrous layer, followed by a layer of fibroblast-like proliferative cells
angle of mandible is seen (Figure 4A). The zygomatic arch, condylar (cell-rich zone) where the cells run mostly parallel to the articular
head, and mandibular angle can be seen clearly after removing that surface. The third layer mostly exhibited fibrocartilaginous character
layer of masseter muscle (Figure 4B).The condylar head was located followed by a narrow zone of hypertrophied chondrocytes that could
bellow the posterior end of Zygomatic arch above the angle of not be traced in all sections followed by the zone of cartilaginous
mandible in front of the masseteric fossa (Figure 4C), when the maturation. Higher magnification of the fibrous layer revealed the
condyle was slightly detached from its place the glenoid fossa of the presence of so many capillaries filled with red blood cells and found at
Zygomatic arch could be clearly seen (Figure 4D).The joint is fully the different depths of this layer (Figure 8C and 8D).The condylar head
covered by the articulating capsule which is hard, thin fibrous tissue showed little or no cortical bone and the condylar trabeculae appeared
attached to the zygomatic arch and the head of the condyle (Figure 5A fine, numerous, gradually increasing in size toward the center, and
and 5B). Glenoid fossa appeared smooth with a retroarticular process roughly perpendicular to the condylar surface both in sagittal and
in the posterior border and no eminence anteriorly (Figure 5C). The coronal sections (Figure 7A, 8C and 8D).
articular disc is attached to the lateral pterygoid muscle anterior-
medially. It is oval in shape and has a thick periphery and thin central Temporal bone
portion (Figure 5D). The articular disc divides the TMJ cavity into
The surface coverings of the articular temporal bone showed no
upper and lower joint cavities. Posteriorly it is attached to the
obvious regional variation. The fibrous coverage appeared slightly
retroarticular process and neck of condyle. Anteriorly, it is attached to
thinner than that of condyle and followed by a layer of high-density
anterior border of glenoid fossa and condylar neck (Figure 6A and 6B).
fibroblast-like cells (Cell-rich proliferative zone), the fibrocartilaginous
layer is not distinct as the condyle (Figure 8A and 8B).The temporal
bone had a thin cortex, large thick trabeculae randomly arranged
(Figure 8A).

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medium vessels could be frequent traced in the loose connective tissue

anterior and lateral to the TMJ capsule (Figure 9F).

Figure 6: (A, B) Photographs of sagittal views of the TMJ complex.

[A. Closed joint. B. Open joint].Note the joint structural
components and their relation to each other, Condyle (Cd), above
the Ramus(R),fitting inside the Temporal bone (T), separated by
Articular disc (Ad),dividing the joint into an upper and a lower
joint cavities (arrows) Retroarticular process (Rap), in front of
Eustachian tube (Eu), and Lateral pterygoid muscle (Lpm),
surrounded by the Articular capsule (Ac).In (A) the rectangle
shows the position of attachment of the articular capsule to the
Figure 5: (A-D) Photographs of the dissection steps for locating the
neck of condyle.
articular disc. . Close up photograph after removing the condyle
showing the attachment of Articular capsule (Ac) to the Zygomatic
arch (Z), and Temporal bone (T). B. Showing the attachment of the
Articular disc (Ad) to articular capsule (Ac), and the upper joint
cavity (arrow). C. Ventrolateral view showing the medial
attachment of the disc to a notch at the depth of Glenoid fossa (Gf).
D. The articular disc completely detached of all of its bony
attachments, but showing attachment to Lateral pterygoid muscle
(Lpm).

Articular disc
The disc appeared as a dense, fibrous structure. Anteriorly the disc
splits into two bands, the upper band attaches to the temporal bone,
and the lower one attached to the condylar head, in between these two
bands, muscles fibers of lateral pterygoid muscle are inserted into the
disc. Posteriorly, the disc is divided into inferior and superior lamellae.
The inferior lamella is thin, extended from fibrous disc and covers the
posterior surface of head of condyle. Laterally, the disc expands into a Figure 7: LMs of dog TMJ complex. Coronal section showing the
massive retrodiscal pad of fibrous tissue with adipose cells and blood Condyle (Cd), the Temporal bone (T), Articular disc (Ad), and
vessels (Figure 7A and 9F).It has a thin central avascular part and Articular capsule (Ac), Synovial membrane (Sm) [Gomori's
thicker vascular peripheral parts especially the posterior part (Figure trichrome original magnification X 40].
9A-9C).

Articular capsule
The TMJ capsule appeared loose collagenous membrane that
attaches to the borders of the articular surfaces. This attachment
enlarges posteriorly at the temporal and condylar divisions of the
retrodiscal tissue. The anterior part of the capsule could also be
followed in association with the attachment of lateral pterygoid
muscle. Synovial membrane folds could be traced at the lateral and
medial extremities of the disc overlying a strand rich in fat cells
exhibited rich fat cells of adipose tissue (Figure 9C-9E).A Small to

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stabbing and killing prey. These teeth are also used as a display to
threaten other dogs. The broader pointed teeth behind the canines are
the premolars and molars, which are used for holding, cutting,
shearing meat and for crushing bones. The largest of these teeth are
known as carnassials, which work together to slice up meat like a pair
of scissors [31,32]. The teeth of man are the result of a process of
reduction and adaptation. As compared to most animal dentitions, the
human teeth are deficient in number and in structure. This relative
deficiency of the human teeth is associated with an advanced
development of the brain: man has learned to use tools and weapons
and to cook his food, and thus his teeth are no longer of vital
importance to him. Some of the characteristics distinguishing the
human from other mammalian dentitions are the fact that in man all
teeth are in contact with each other and that all teeth erupt to the same
level while in most animals some teeth are longer than others [31]. The
dental arches are horseshoe in shape, with no diastema between teeth
Figure 8: (A-D) A.LMs of Higher magnification of articular surface
in both dentitions. While the dental arches in dogs are V-shaped and
of Temporal bone showing the Fibrous articular coverage (Faz),
there is a small diastema between the third incisor and canine in upper
note the thick bony trabeculae (Bt) and wide marrow spaces (Bm)
arch and between canine and first premolar in lower arch.
[Gomori's trichrome original magnification X100]. B. Higher
magnification of the LM inset in figure A showing: the Fibrous
articular coverage (Faz), Cell-rich proliferative zone (Crz),
Fibrocartilaginous zone [Gomori's trichrome X400]. C. articular
surface of condyle (Cd) and part of articular disc (Ad) note the
thinner bone trabeculae than that of the temporal bone [Gomori's
trichrome X100]. D. Higher magnification of the previous LM inset
articular surface of the Condyle (Cd), showing the Fibrous articular
coverage (Faz) with numerous blood vessels, Cell-rich proliferative
zone (Crz), and Fibrocartilaginous zone (Fcz) [Gomori's trichrome
X 400].

Discussion
The use of experimental animals in research has contributed
massively in medical advance for human health, it aided in testing of
antibiotics, dialysis development, organ transplantation, vaccinations,
chemotherapy, bypass surgery and joint replacement, which allowed us
to live longer, healthier, and enjoying happier lives [23]. In the Figure 9: (A-F) LMs high power views of parts of TMJ structure. A.
description of teeth, hard and soft anatomical components of TMJ as Articular disc at the peripheral lateral part showing the sparse
well as the histological of that joint in the experimental animals distribution of cells and some few Blood vessels (Bvs) [Gomori's
studied, we relied on and were guided by scientific information trichrome X 400]. B. Central part of articular disc [H&E X400]. C.
provided in universal documented literature [21,24-28]. Regarding the Synovial folds (Arrow) covering the extremities of the Articular disc
animal used in this study we could display, compare, and contrast the (Ad). [H&E original magnification X400]. D. Synovial
results we observed in the following points: membrane(Sm), covering the Articular disc (Ad) [Gomori's
trichrome X 400]. E. The attachment of Articular disc (Ad) to the
Dentition capsule (Ac), Synovial membrane (Sm) [Gomori's trichrome X400].
Dog and human dentitions are diphyodont that has two sets of teeth F. The medial part of the joint showing the loose connective tissue
(deciduous and permanent) [29]. They have ―brachydont or low- with large Blood vessels (Bv), and muscular fibers [Gomori's
crowned teeth. This form and structure of tooth consists of a crown trichrome X original magnification X100].
that shows above the gum line, a smaller neck at the gum line, and a
deep root tied to the jawbone [30].
Alveolar bone, zygomatic arch and temporal bone
Teeth
In dog and man the zygomatic arch is made of two bones which are
Our findings of the anatomy and morphology of dog’s teeth the zygomatic processes of both frontal and temporal bones [33,34].
correlated well with all of the description mentioned in the dental
literature. The teeth of a dog are adapted for cutting meat and breaking Mandible
bones. At the front of the skull are the small incisors that are used for
nipping small pieces of meat from close to bones. The long strong In our study, we noticed that mandibular suture of dog is firm.
pointed teeth behind the incisors are the canines, which are used for However for humans this suture is completely fused reflecting an

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important point of variation among animals on one side and between eminence [40]. Humans capsule is a thin, slack cuff that does not limit
animals and man on the other side. The human mandible consists of a mandibular movements and is too weak to provide much support for
horseshoe-shaped body and a pair of rami. The body is divided into an the joint. It is attached to the mandibular fossa and to the neck of
upper alveolar part and the lower base. The ramus is smooth with no condyle [25].
masseteric fossa and ends above in two processes-the coronoid
anteriorly and the articular condyle posteriorly. Between them is a Histological study
notch-the sigmoid notch. The shape of the mandibular angle of dogs is
more prominent than man. [35,36] Generally, in histological sections, the TMJ is composed of different
tissues that include the condylar head, mandibular fossa,
fibrocartilaginous disc, and fibrous capsule. [18,24,25] Based on the
Temporomandibular joint
results of our study it is possible to say that, with regard to the
The temporomandibular joint is critical for normal mouth function, histological features, there is a great similarity between dog’s, and
and plays a role in chewing, swallowing, speaking, oral health, and human’s TMJ.
nutrition. The TMJ is unique to mammals, but among different
mammalian groups, its morphology and function vary enormously. Bony components
Practicality dictates that animal models will not be the closest mimics
of the human condition. Currently, the most used species are rats, Four main layers cover the articular surface of temporal bone as well
rabbits, pigs, and ruminant ungulates. Each has distinctive TMJ as of the condyle. The first layer is a fibrous layer, in puppies, there was
adaptations [37]. Our observation confirmed this statement since we no obvious difference to that of human. The second layer is the cell-
found that the anatomical structure of dog’s TMJ are different mainly rich proliferative zone that showed no significant differences in all
in the shape and direction of both of the glenoid fossa and condyle and specimens. The third layer is consists of randomly arranged cartilage
both are different from those of human. TMJ of dogs is a plain hinge cells embedded in fibrous tissue forming the fibrocartilaginous zone.
joint that permits only opening and closing movement without lateral The final layer is the calcified cartilage zone, which also showed no
excursion, there is little or no actual mastication of food. The condyle remarkable differences.
and the mandibular fossa are elongated laterally and provide a strong
hinge joint [31]. The TMJ of man is a modified synovial joint divided Soft tissue components
by an articular disk it allows hinge and sliding movements [25].
There is an interposed fibrocartilaginous disc of biconcave
morphology between the bony components. The structure and shape
Mandibular condyle of the disc in dogs is similar to that of the human one [41]. No
Dog's condyle is cylindrical and has an inferior inclination medially. difference in the structure of capsule and synovial membrane from the
The long axes of the two condyles are directed at right angle to the human’s joint.
midsagittal plane. The articular surface of the condyle could be divided
into two parts, one horizontal on the superio-anterior part and one on References
the medial side of the posterior part [38]. Man's condyle is ovoid with
the anteroposterior dimension being about half the mediolateral 1. Cohen BJ, Loew FM (1984) Laboratory Animal Medicine: Historical
perspective. Orlando, FL: Academic Press.
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Citation: Rashed F (2015) A Comparative Study of the Dentition and Temporomandibular Joint Anatomy and Histology Adult Dogs . Biol syst
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