Further histochemical studies on masticatory muscles.

This paper describes a histochemical and histographic analysis of the masticatory muscles obtained from 78 early autopsy samples from subjects from 4 days to 87 years old. Five groups of muscles have been stuied: the temporalis, the medial and lateral pterygoid, the superficial bundle of the masseter and the mylohyoideus. All adult muscles have consistently shown a markedly increased number oftype II fibres and a disparity in the size of the two main fibre types, the average diameter of type II fibres being about half that of type I fibres. Fibres of intermediate size and stain were observed with myofibrillar ATPase at pH 9.40. A negative relation between the percentage of type II fibres and intermediate fibres was found, but not between the percentage of type I fibres and of intermediate fibres. Another negative relation was found between the number and the size of type II fibres, again not present in type I nor in intermediate fibres. In children, from 6 days old, an increased number of type II fibres and a definite disparity in the size of the two main fibre types were found. Intermediate fibres were present on the 17th day. Up to the age of 13 years, their diameter was greater than that of type I fibres. The analysis of the distribution and size modifications of the various fibre types seems to indicate a progressive adaptation of the masticatory muscles. This adaptation of the fibres to the successive reactions and to the various movements of the masticatory system is then discussed.