Regional and disease-related differences in properties of the equine temporomandibular joint disc

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders are increasingly recognized in animals. The articular disc plays a major role in TMJ disorders in people, but its role in the pathogenesis of TMJ disease in animals is not well understood. This study characterizes properties of the equine TMJ disc, including regional variation within discs as well as differences in properties associated with naturally-occurring TMJ osteoarthritis.