The Morphology and Distribution of Nerve Fibers and Endings Associated with the Mandibular Joint of the Mouse

¹ Department of Anatomy, Tufts University Schools of Medicine and Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts

Frozen and paraffin sections through the mandibular joint of the mouse were studied after a variety of neurohistological staining technics to determine the morphology and distribution of nerve fibers and endings associated with the joint. The mice ranged in age from 15 days insemination age to 3 months postnatal age. For histologic controls, to provide clear discernment of nonnervous elements, additional sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Mallory's triple stain, Masson's trichrome stain, and Verhoeff's elastic tissue stain.

Although surrounding tissues contain nerve fibers near their attachment to the periphery of the articular disk, the dense collagenous disk itself did not contain fibers or endings. Nerve fibers of varying diameteters were scattered in the peri-articular tissues. Some of these fibers appeared to terminate in these tissues and were presumably free nerve endings. No encapsulated or special end organs or receptors were seen here. Nerve fibers frequently accompanied blood vessels. Some of the smaller fibers appeared to terminate at the vessels and were presumably autonomic in function.

The possibility that free nerve endings might subserve other sensory modalities in addition to pain was considered.

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