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Figure 3. HE-stained sections of the rabbit TMJs after excessive mechanical stress application. (A) Control TMJ articular cartilage (original magnification, 40X). (B) Experimental TMJ articular cartilage at 1 day after mechanical stress application (original magnification, 40X). Thinning of the articular cartilage with loss of the hypertrophic chondrocyte layer was shown in the experimental TMJ condyles. (C,D) Higher magnification of the area within the rectangles seen in panels A and B, respectively (panels C and D were rotated to display the arrow vertically; original magnification, 200X). (E,F) Experimental TMJ articular cartilage at 7 days after mechanical stress application (original magnification, 40X). Peripheral chondrocyte proliferation (pr) was observed covering the anterior edge of the articular surface (E). Remarkable pathological changes, e.g., eburnation (eb) and nested proliferation of chondrocytes (chondrocyte island, ci), were observed in the subchondral bone layer of the central and posterior aspects of the articular surface (F). (G,H) Higher magnification of the area in the rectangles seen in panels E and F, respectively (panel G was rotated to display the arrow vertically; original magnification, 200X).
