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Histochemical characterization of pig masseter muscle: an animal model
Author(s) -
Tuxen Anette,
Rostrup Egill
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
european journal of oral sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.802
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1600-0722
pISSN - 0909-8836
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0722.1993.tb01648.x
Subject(s) - masseter muscle , anatomy , chemistry , medicine
Masseter muscle autopsies were obtained from six different areas of six pigs. The autopsies were stained for the demonstration of myosin ATPase activity by means of a conventional histochemical technique. As compared with human masseter, the pig masseter muscle contained more type II fibers. But, like the human masseterMasseter muscle autopsies were obtained from six different areas of six pigs. The autopsies were stained, the pig muscle had a varying distribution of fiber types in the different autopsy areas, a distribution which might be the result of an adaptation to carry out special functions such as chewing, swallowing, and jaw posture. The fiber type distribution in the pig masseter also varied among individuals, probably reflecting various levels of utilization of the muscles besides different genetic influences. Moreover, pig masseter contained fibers of intermediate staining intensity (IM fibers), a fiber type rarely seen except in human masticatory muscles. In conclusion, we consider the pig masseter to be a useful animal model to study muscular adaptations to altered function in the orofacial region.