[Structure and ultrastructure of the human TMJ meniscus].

This ultrastructural study is concerned on demonstrating the presence and the distribution of the elastic system fibers in human TMJ disc. Oxytalan and pre-elastic fibers were found to occur in the anterior, intermediate and posterior band of the disc. These fibers run parallel to collagen fibers in the outer portion of the disc while in the deeper portion they were canted compared to collagen fibers arrangement. The presence of an elastic system fibers in human TMJ disc it is plausible to assume that it enables the disc to resist to a wider range of reversible deformation.