What is the TMJ disc made of?

What is the TMJ disc made of?

• A. Hyaline cartilage
• B. Elastic cartilage
• C. Cartilage
• D. Dense fibrous connective tissue

Answer: (D)

The TMJ disc is a fibrocartilaginous structure, meaning it’s a specialized form of dense fibrous connective tissue. Its matrix is rich in collagen fibers, giving the disc high tensile strength and the ability to resist the shear and compressive forces that occur during chewing and jaw movement. It isn’t hyaline cartilage, which lines most joint surfaces and has a different collagen composition and chondrocyte arrangement, nor elastic cartilage, which contains elastic fibers for more flexible support. Simply calling it “cartilage” is too general and doesn’t reflect its dense, fibrous collagen-rich nature. Among the options, dense fibrous connective tissue best describes its structure.

The TMJ disc is a fibrocartilaginous structure, meaning it’s a specialized form of dense fibrous connective tissue. Its matrix is rich in collagen fibers, giving the disc high tensile strength and the ability to resist the shear and compressive forces that occur during chewing and jaw movement. It isn’t hyaline cartilage, which lines most joint surfaces and has a different collagen composition and chondrocyte arrangement, nor elastic cartilage, which contains elastic fibers for more flexible support. Simply calling it “cartilage” is too general and doesn’t reflect its dense, fibrous collagen-rich nature. Among the options, dense fibrous connective tissue best describes its structure.