Articles accepted for next issue

Articles approved and accepted for publication before inclusion in an issue of the journal

• Editorial

  
  

  Introducing Anatomy & Morphology

  
  

  Ottone NE

• Research paper

  
  

  E12 Sheet Plastination of Sus scrofa domestica Temporomandibular Joint: Integrating CBCT and MRI for Enhanced Anatomical Visualization

  
  

  Ottone NE, del Sol M, Fuentes R

  
  

  Accurate visualization of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is critical for comparative anatomical studies, surgical training, and biomechanical research. This study demonstrates the combined use of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and E12 sheet plastination to elucidate the morphology of the porcine TMJ. Fresh TMJ samples were harvested from domestic pigs (Sus scrofa domestica) immediately post-mortem and scanned using CBCT to capture high-resolution images of osseous structures. MRI was subsequently employed to visualize soft tissues, including the articular disc and surrounding ligaments, enabling pre-plastination correlation of bony and soft tissue relationships. Following imaging, the specimens were frozen, serially sectioned into 2–3 mm sheets, and dehydrated through a graded series of acetone through freeze substitution, then impregnated under vacuum with E12 epoxy resin. Finally, the slices were curing. The integrated approach yielded three complementary datasets: (1) CBCT images clearly delineating cortical and trabecular bone architecture, (2) MRI scans highlighting cartilage and synovial structures, and (3) durable, anatomically faithful E12 plastinated slices suitable for direct macroscopic inspection. Correlation of the pre-plastination imaging with the plastinated slices validated both the fidelity of the plastination process and the utility of multimodality imaging. The E12 sheets provided transparent, thin slices that preserved key features of the TMJ, including the articular surfaces, disc, ligaments, and joint capsule, facilitating comparative and functional analyses. This combination of CBCT, MRI, and E12 sheet plastination offers a powerful, integrative method to study the complex anatomy of the porcine TMJ. By fusing high-resolution radiographic data with tangible, anatomically precise plastinated sections, researchers and educators gain comprehensive insights into TMJ morphology, enabling enhanced comparative anatomical research, surgical planning, and teaching applications.

  
  

  Keywords: E12 sheet plastination; Temporomandibular joint; Porcine model; Cone beam computed tomography; Magnetic resonance imaging.