Osteoarthrosis in TMJ is known to accompany characteristic features of the craniofacial malformation and malocclusion. In order to explain the mechanism that brings about the typical mandibular changes relating to the frequent clinical symptom, i.e., the limited mouth opening in TMJ patients. The present study investigated the mandibular morphology of the rabbit, also intentional TMJ osteoarthrosis was performed on the TMJ of the rabbits and their morphological changes were observed. A total of 12 New Zealand house rabbits weighing an average of 3 kgwere used and all left side joints were surgically meniscectomized and right side joints were used as controls. The rabbits were sacrificed in one week, two weeks, one month, three months and 5 months after the menisectomy, and the removed TMJs were examined by histological and radiographical methods and analyzed statistically. It was found that the mandibular morphology caused by osteoarthritis in the TMJ was characterized by the decrease in size of the ascending ramus, posterior ramus bowing, deep antegonial notch and thickening of the cortex in inferior and posterior borders of the mandible, that the similar features were also observed in the rabbit mandible. When the menisectomy was performed in the unilateral side of rabbit TMJ, the mandibular changes including the increased depth of antegonial notch and posterior ramus bowing occurred only on the affected side. These data suggested that the limitation of the mandibular movement and altered masticatory pattern by meniscectomy affects the structural remodeling of the mandible and TMJ likely the TMJ osteoarthrosis

I. 서 론
 ll. 재료 및 방법
 III. 결 과
 lV. 고 찰
 V. 결 론
 참 고 문 헌

• 심은영(강릉대학교 치과대학 교정학교실) | Eun Young Sim
• 이영준(강릉대학교 치과대학 구강병리학교실) | Young Joon Lee
• 차봉근(강릉대학교 치과대학 교정학교실) | Bong Keun Cha
• 이석근(강릉대학교 치과대학 구강병리학교실) | Suk Keun Lee Corresponding Author
• 문혁수(서울대학교 치과대학 예방치학교실) | Hyock Soo Moon