Histochemical and radiologic studies of the human fetal mandibular condyle.

Histochemical investigations on the mandibular condyle were performed on 72 human embryos and fetuses of crown-rump lengths (CRL) ranging from 26 to 186 mm, representing skeletal maturity indices expressed in CNO values (CNO = composite number of ossified bones in the hand and foot) ranging from 0-0 to 19-12. The development of the mandibular condyle is described according to morphology and to histochemical reactions for glycosaminoglucuronglycans, collagen, glycogen, alkaline and acid phosphatase, and nonspecific AS esterase. The development is described for (1) the bony component of the mandibular condyle, (2) the condylar cartilage, and (3) the fibrous cover of the mandibular condyle. For each tissue component, maturation steps are set up and included in the total evaluation of the condylar maturity stages. The developmental sequence set up on the basis of the morphologic and histochemical findings was followed by all condyles investigated. From this it may be presumed that the developmental sequence in human mandibular condylar components is constant during the former half of the prenatal period. The material available did not justify a description of skeletal development in the mandibular condyle as a function of fetal size, CRL, or skeletal maturity in the hand and foot.