[Symphysis menti in the human fetus]

Abstract

The mandibular symphysis of the human fetus is radiolucent (Fig. 1). The ventral extremity of the hemimandible consists of secondary cartilage (Figs. 2A, 2B, 5, 7), chondroid tissue (Fig. 4) and woven bone (Figs. 2A, 2B). The examination of the decalcified mandible allows not only the identification of secondary cartilage but also the observance of the soft tissue of the mandibular symphysis and particularly the chondriola symphysea (Figs. 9, 10). Only the preparation of undecalcified sections permits the study of chondroid tissue (Figs. 4, 6, 8) because of the particular pattern of calcification present in this tissue.