The elastic properties of maxillofacial and oral region assessed by scanning acoustic microscopy

扫描声学显微镜（SAM）使我们能够评估组织弹性的基础上传播的声速。本研究旨在利用SAM技术研究下颌髁突软骨（MCC）和牙周韧带（PDL）弹性的变化。SAM清晰地显示了MCC和PDL声速变化的二维分布。MCC和PDL的声速在发育过程中显著增加。胶原和聚集蛋白聚糖在MCC和PDL中表达。SAM是评价组织弹性及其分布的有力工具。这些结果表明，组织的变化是由形态发育（如胶原的产生和/或交联）和功能发育（如咬合结构）引起的。

Scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) enables us to assess the tissue elasticity based on the propagation of sound speed. The aim of this study is to elucidate the change of the elasticity of mandibular condylar cartilage (MCC) and periodontal ligaments (PDL) by using SAM. SAM clearly visualized two-dimensional distribution of the sound speed changes of MCC and PDL. The sound speed of MCC and PDL increased significantly in the course of development. Collagens and Aggrecan were expressed in the MCC and PDL. SAM is a powerful tool for evaluating the elasticity and its distribution in tissues. These results suggested that the change of tissues was induced by morphological development such as the production and/or cross-link of collagens, and the functional development such as occlusal construction.