Abstract

<p>Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ OA) is a condition characterized by severe pain and joint dysfunction in the <br>temporomandibular joint. The main pathological change in TMJ OA is cartilage degeneration, and chondrocytes are the primary <br>cell type within cartilage tissue. This paper explores the hypothesis that chondrocyte death plays a central role in the process of <br>cartilage degeneration in TMJ OA. Specifically, it focuses on programmed cell death (PCD) as a regulated mechanism involved in <br>the development of OA. The research progress on PCD in OA cartilage degeneration is discussed, offering new insights and ideas <br>for future basic research on cartilage degeneration in TMJ OA.</p>