Quantitative and morphological studies of the trabecular bones in the condyloid processes of the Japanese mandibles; changes due to aging.

The structure of bone changes with advancing age. In order to observe changes in the trabecular bone structure of the mandibular condyloid process and their relationship to age, the mandibular condyloid process and third lumbar vertebra were extracted from cadavers from several age groups, and changes in trabecular bone structure due to age were compared. Comparison of the trabecular bones of the lumbar vertebra and condyloid processes from single cadavers by age revealed a clear reduction in trabecular bone density and width in the lumbar vertebra accompanying advancing age. In the condyloid process in contrast no major changes were observed; it appears that the effects of aging are slight.