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Prenatal development of the human mandible

3D reconstructions, morphometry and bone remodelling pattern, sizes 12–117 mm CRL

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Abstract

Human embryos and fetuses (n=25) ranging from 12 to 117 mm CRL (crown-rump-length) were serially sectioned and the mandibles were reconstructed in 3D. In addition, characteristic areas of apposition, resorption and resting zones were projected onto the surface of the mandibular reconstructions after histological evaluation of the remodeling processes. Furthermore, morphometric data were taken to describe growth processes in horizontal views. In this way the changing outlines as seen in 3D could be correlated with the remodeling patterns and with the changes in growth. In these stages the mandible showed a general appositional growth, but resorption areas were found at the posterior margins of the mental foramen and at the lateral and medial posterior bony planes at concave surfaces. The bulging of bone underneath and over Meckel's cartilage could be recognized as active appositional growth areas. Meckel's cartilage itself lay in a trough which could be characterized by less apposition and even resorption. Questions were raised in how much the gap between our present knowledge of genetic expression of signaling molecules and the precise morphologic description of the mandibles can be bridged.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Prof. Dr. G. Steding (Göttingen) and PD Dr. J. Männer (Göttingen) for permission to use part of the Göttingen collection and Mrs. B. Danielowski and Mrs. B. Schwarz for their technical support in our histological and image analysis laboratory. Concerning statistical questions we thank PD Dr. Dr. W. Hopfenmüller (Dept of Medical Informatics, University Clinic Benjamin Franklin) for his assistance. We are indebted to Mrs. Hala Zreiquat, PhD, for proofreading our manuscript as a native speaker. Parts of this study have been supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Ra 428/1–3.

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  1. Universitätsklinikum Benjamin Franklin der FU Berlin Klinik und Poliklinik für Zahn-Mund- und Kieferheilkunde, Department of Experimental Dentistry and Oral Structural Biology, Aßmannshauser Strasse 4–6, 14197, Berlin-Wilmersdorf, Germany

    Ralf J. Radlanski, Herbert Renz & Marie C. Klarkowski

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  1. Ralf J. Radlanski
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  2. Herbert Renz
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Correspondence to Ralf J. Radlanski.

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Radlanski, R.J., Renz, H. & Klarkowski, M.C. Prenatal development of the human mandible. Anat Embryol 207, 221–232 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00429-003-0343-4

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