Experimental study of the influence of senescence in the biomechanical properties of the temporal tendon and deep temporal fascia based on uniaxial tension tests.

The present study focuses on the determination of human temporal tendons and deep temporal fascia biomechanical behavior. The tensile and shear loads generated by the temporal muscle are transmitted to the masticatory system by the temporal tendons and muscle fascia. Establishing these connective tissues' biomechanical properties will help to develop proper finite element-based simulations of the human masticatory system, which will allow better understanding of diseases affecting the temporomandibular joint. The tissues were harvested from 8 male fresh cadavers, who were subjected to uniaxial tension tests. Available literature states that different connective tissues undergo identical biochemical, cellular and mechanical changes during senescence. Several mechanical phenomena occur during maturation, resulting in stiffer, stronger and more stable connective tissues, although less flexible. Based on this evidence, the present study suggests that older temporal tendon and fascia samples are stiffer than younger ones. We also found significant higher secant moduli with increasing age.