The purpose of this study was to determine whether there was any correlation between temporomandibular joint dysfunction and structure of the mandibular condyle. Weanling rats had their masseter muscles resected and immunohistochemical findings were observed with a light microscope. The results obtained were as follows : 1. The condylar cartilage region was divided into articular, proliferating, cartilage cell and hypertrophic cell layers according to cell morphology. 2. In light microscopic views, the proliferating and cartilage cell layers of the experimental group decreased gradually and at the 8th week significantly. 3. In immunohistochemical staining for type I and II collagen, a reaction was detected in the lower part of proliferating cell and cartilage cell layers. In the cartilage cell layers, a stronger cellular reaction was present. Immunohistochemical staining for type II collagen reacted more strongly than that of type I collagen. 4. In immunohistochemical staining for proteoglycan, the staining of the experimental group resembled the control group and gradually showed a weak reaction. The proliferating and cartilage cell layers reacted more strongly than the hypertrophic cell layer. 5. In immunohistochemical staining for proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), the strong reaction was detected in the nucleus of the proliferating cell layer both in control and experimental groups. But the thickness of the proliferating layer decreased in experimental group, consequently the reaction of the experimental group was reduced more than that of the control group.