The mandibular body of the human fetus. Histologic analysis of the basilar part.

Histologic and microradiographic analyses of 47 human mandibles from 42 fetuses and 5 neonates have been carried out to study the development of the mandibular body. This not only entails woven bone formation along Meckel's cartilage but also endochondral ossification in the condylar cartilage, the pillars of which are included in the posterior part of the mandibular body. Progressively, woven bone is replaced by lamellar bone, and typical Haversian systems are already present at the fifth month of fetal life. This early occurrence of bone remodelling is related to the fact that the mandible is subjected to intense activity from sucking and swallowing.