Elsevier

Archives of Oral Biology

Volume 41, Issue 11, November 1996, Pages 1039-1052
Archives of Oral Biology

The behaviour of collagen fibres in stress relaxation and stress distribution in the jawjoint disc of rabbits

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0003-9969(96)00079-9Get rights and content

Abstract

The physical properties of the temporomandibular joint disc are largely attributable to its collagen fibre and proteoglycan composition and organization. Structural and stress relaxation data were obtained from the discs of six rabbits. Two stainless-steel balls, 4.8 mm dia, were used to load the disc surfaces in compression. Stress relaxation tests were performed at loads of 0.8–1.4 kg, and the disc was then placed in fixative while still in the loading apparatus in order to preserve its deformed state at equilibrium stress. After overnight fixation the discs were sectioned and assessed by means of a polarizing microscope with a rotating universal stage. This allowed measurement of three-dimensional changes in collagen fibre waviness and alignment as the result of loading. The data showed that despite significant stress relaxation and strains, only minor changes in fibre waviness and alignment occurred within the disc, reflecting its effectiveness as a tough but compliant structure, well suited to distribute load in the temporomandibular joint.

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