Immunohistochemical expression of collagen type VII antibody in the human fetal temporomandibular joint discs

Abstract

Objective: To study the articular disc morphology and to analyze theimmunohistochemical expression of the type VII collagen marker inhuman fetal temporomandibular joint discs at different gestational ages.Methods: Twenty human fetal temporomandibular joint aged between13 and 24 weeks gestational age were studied. Temporomandibular jointwere supplied by the Universidade Federal de Uberaba. Fetal age wasestablished by measuring the crown-rump length (CRL). The fetuseswere fixed in a formalin solution at 10%, and the skin and subcutaneoustissue were removed to expose deeper anatomical structures. Animmunohistochemical type VII collagen marker was used to determinethe presence of the basal membrane in the temporomandibular jointdisc. Results: Analysis of the immunohistochemical type VII collagenmarker showed this type of collagen in the central region and uppersurface of human fetal temporomandibular joint discs. Conclusion: Theuse of a type VII collagen marker in the temporomandibular joint discduring the second trimester of pregnancy shows that the articular dischas a basal membrane in its central region and upper surface.

Keywords

• Temporomandibular joint
• Collagen
• Immunohistochemistry
• Embryology
• Basal membrane