Structure of the most superficial layer of articular cartilage.

We studied the most superficial layer of macroscopically normal articular cartilage obtained from human femoral heads, using polarising microscopy and SEM. The most superficial layer, 4 to 8 microns thick, was acellular consisting of collagen fibrils. This layer could be peeled away as a thin film, with no broken collagen fibrils on its inferior surface or on the surface of subjacent cartilage layers. The orientation and diameter of collagen fibrils were different on these two surfaces. Our findings suggest that the most superficial layer is an independent one which is only loosely connected to the fibrous structure in the layer deep to it.

[1]  G W Blunn,et al.  Three-dimensional collagen architecture in bovine articular cartilage. , 1991, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume.

[2]  J. Clark,et al.  The organisation of collagen fibrils in the superficial zones of articular cartilage. , 1990, Journal of anatomy.

[3]  D. Shackleton,et al.  A reappraisal of the structure of normal canine articular cartilage. , 1988, Journal of anatomy.

[4]  R. Aspden,et al.  The lamina splendens of articular cartilage is an artefact of phase contrast microscopy , 1979, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B. Biological Sciences.

[5]  I. Clarke,et al.  Articular cartilage: a review and scanning electron microscope study. 1. The interterritorial fibrillar architecture. , 1971, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume.

[6]  G Meachim,et al.  Surface ultrastructure of mature adult human articular cartilage. , 1969, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume.

[7]  S. Roy,et al.  SURFACE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF MATURE ADULT HUMAN ARTICULAR CARTILAGE , 1969 .

[8]  J. Goodfellow,et al.  The significance of the fine structure of articular cartilage. , 1968, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume.

[9]  A. J. Helfet,et al.  An ultrastructural study of normal young adult human articular cartilage. , 1968, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume.

[10]  J. Clark,et al.  The organization of collagen in cryofractured rabbit articular cartilage: A scanning electron microscopic study , 1985, Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society.

[11]  J. Wolf.  Chondrosynovial membrane serving as joint cavity lining with a sliding and barrier function. , 1969, Folia morphologica.

[12]  M. Macconaill.  The movements of bones and joints; the mechanical structure of articulating cartilage. , 1951, The Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume.