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Osteosynthesis and Trauma Care 2006; 14(3): 158-167
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-942284
Original Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Histological Aspects of Articular Cartilage

S. Nürnberger1 , 2 , G. Brand3 , T. Jagersberger1 , V. Vécsei1 , S. Marlovits1
  • 1Medical University of Vienna, Department of Traumatology, Center for Joints and Cartilage, Vienna, Austria
  • 2Cell Imaging and Ultrastructure Research Unit, Vienna, Austria
  • 3Medical University of Vienna, Department of Orthopedics, Vienna, Austria
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
02 November 2006 (online)

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Abstract

Articular cartilage, because of the particular function in the vertebrate skeletal system, has a highly specialized organization. The biomechanical properties of cartilage rely largely on the nature of the extracellular matrix (ECM) components, their three-dimensional arrangement, and the relative quantity of ECM in the tissue. Cells and ECM are closely functionally related, and their physiology and morphology are altered simultaneously with age, pathological influences, or alterations of mechanical stress. The cellular response to the environment and the variations of the ECM are morphologically discernible. The present article is intended to summarize the morphological features of articular cartilage from the histological point of view.

Key words

hyaline cartilage - ECM - collagen - proteoglycans - joint - morphology - histology

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Mag. S. Nürnberger

Medical University of Vienna · Department of Traumatology

Waehringer Guertel 18-20

1090 Vienna

Austria

Phone: +43/1/4 04 00 59 44

Email: sylvia.nuernberger@meduniwien.ac.at