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

扫描声学显微镜(SAM)使我们能够根据声速的传播来评估组织的弹性。本研究旨在用扫描电子显微镜观察下颌骨髁状突软骨和牙周韧带弹性的变化。SAM清晰地显示了MCC和PDL声速变化的二维分布。在发展过程中，MCC和PDL的声速显著增加。胶原蛋白和聚集素在MCC和PDL中表达。SAM是评价弹性及其在组织中分布的有力工具。这些结果表明，组织的变化是由胶原蛋白的产生和/或交联等形态发育以及咬合结构等功能发育引起的。

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.