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Figure 2. Structure of facial sutures. (A) Photomicrograph of the zygomatico-frontal suture of an adult Macaca mulatta monkey. Hematoxylin and eosin stain, original magnification 75x. Numerous reversal lines (arrowheads) are indicative of past remodeling activity. The absence of cellular activity within the sutural ligament is indicative of a quiescent suture. (B) Section through the frontomaxillary suture of an adolescent Macaca mulatta monkey after application of a posteriorly directed force to the maxillary teeth. Mallory stain. Original magnification, 120x. This active suture shows a complex pattern of remodelling activity, with highly cellular new bone (blue) deposited on old bone (red). Sutures consist of type I collagen and non-collagenous glycoproteins uniting adjacent bone surfaces; also visible (arrowheads) is a central zone of fibroblastic cells. Scale bars not available.
