What is the characteristic of the middle third of the articular disc?

The middle third of the articular disc in the temporomandibular joint is characterized as avascular and aneural, meaning it lacks both blood vessels and nerve endings. This structural composition is important for the function of the disc in the joint. The avascular nature ensures that this part of the disc can withstand the significant compressive forces encountered during activities such as chewing, without the risk of blood vessel rupture. Additionally, being aneural means that this part of the disc does not transmit pain signals, which is advantageous as it undergoes regular, repetitive stress during jaw movement without causing discomfort. This characteristic allows the articular disc to serve effectively as a cushion while preserving the integrity of surrounding structures that do contain blood vessels and nerves.