[The influence of blood supply on craniofacial growth. 4. Reactions of the jaw musculature].

The dry weight of the chewing muscles differ distinctly between male and female. In rats aged 8 to 12 months the dry weight of the chewing muscles after ligature of the carotid artery was lower on the side of the ligature. Necrotic fibres were occasionally found in the masseter muscle on the ligature side. Morphometric investigation of the masseter muscle fibres revealed no significant differences between the 2 sides in the operated rats. Since the rats were relatively young when the commune carotid artery was ligatured unilaterally, the consequences of the initially reduced blood supply to the chewing muscles on the right side could be compensated for rather well, mainly by the enlargement of previously existing anastomoses. Our quantitative and histological studies nevertheless show that muscular dysbalance of the masticatory apparatus was severe.