The late effects of mandibular condylectomy

Condylectomy in adult monkeys of an age comparable to 35 to 40 years in human beings was followed, over 3 years, by regeneration of a functional articular head and condylar neck contained within a normal synovium. Histologic examination of the spontaneously reconstructed condyles revealed a capacity for repair of the articular surface by a cap of fibrocartilage. Changes in the fibroblast cells overlying the cortical bony surface of the condyle suggested that this cartilage arose by metaplasia of local fibroblasts. Bifid condyle was observed and contributed to an understanding of the etiology of this abnormality in human beings. The adequacy and finite form of the regenerated articular head supported the functional matrix theory of mammalian morphology.