Berríos, Juan Pablo; Zúñiga, Felipe; Mardones, Marcelo; Gunckel, Renato; Maturana-Ramirez, Andrea; Toro-Ibacache, Viviana & Córdova, Luis A.

Mandibular condylar hyperplasia or hyperactivity (CH) is characterized by excessive growth of the mandibular condyle, causing functional and esthetic disturbances. Its histopathological basis remains controversial, as features traditionally described in CH have also been reported in non-hyperplastic condyles. This pilot study aimed to set the basis for defining histological morphotypes of CH in relation to patient age and comparing them with a cadaveric control. An observational, retrospective pilot study was conducted on condyles excised from seven patients (17–55 years) with unilateral CH treated by condylectomy between 2017 and 2018. As a single non-CH comparative sample, two condyles from a 65-year-old fresh cadaver were included. Specimens were processed for paraffin- embedded hematoxylin–eosin staining. Two blinded observers reviewed slides assessing cartilage thickness, subchondral cortical bone, trabecular orientation, and cartilage islands. Three morphotypes were identified: juvenile (<20 years), with thick proliferative layer, cartilage islands, thin vertical trabeculae, and absent cortical bone; transitional (20–27 years), with thinner proliferative layer, fewer cartilage islands, discontinuous cortical bone, and heterogeneous trabeculae; and adult (≥28 years), with loss of proliferative layer, scarce cartilage, thick trabeculae in multiple orientations, and continuous cortical layer. Control condyles resembled the adult morphotype but showed focal cartilage penetration and possible osteophyte formation. These findings suggest age-dependent morphotypes in CH, which may often represent adaptive remodeling rather than a purely pathological process.

KEY WORDS: Mandibular Condyle; Hyperplasia; Temporomandibular Joint.

BERRÍOS, J. P.; ZÚÑIGA, F.; MARDONES, M.; GUNCKEL, R.; MATURANA-RAMIREZ, A.; TORO-IBACACHE, V. & CÓRDOVA, L. A. Age-dependent histological morphotypes in mandibular condylar hyperplasia: A preliminary report. Int. J. Morphol., 44(4):1304-1310, 2026.