Stutzmann J, Petrovic A
Pathol Biol (Paris). 1980 Jan;28(1):9-16.
The experimental results reported above, strongly suggest the existence of an intrinsic regulatory mechanism of the condylar cartilage growth rate. The cell density as such cannot account, at least not completely, for the findings. In other words, there must be a "negative feed-back signal" originating from the proximal part of the chondroblastic zone and exerting a restraining effect on the prechondroblastic multiplication rate. The concept of an intrinsic regulation of the condylar cartilage growth rate can help to explain the effects of some orthopaedic or orthodontic appliances as well as of a hormone, thyroxine. The earlier commencement of chondroblastic hypertrophy and the subsequent decrease in the prechondroblast restraining signal appear to be an important intermediary step in the growth-stimulating effect of the mandibular postural hyperpropulsor. The acceleration of the chondroblastic maturation rate is, in a similar way, an intermediary step for the growth-rate stimulating effect of thyroxine.
