Macroscopically normal cartilage from the human osteoarthritic femoral head. II. Measurement of cartilage thickness and cell density
Vignon, E.; Arlot, M.
Journal of Rheumatology 8(3): 447-450
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0315-162X PMID: 7288761 Document Number: 172058
Cell density and thickness of macroscopically normal cartilage from 32 osteoarthritic (OA) femoral heads removed surgically were studied by histomorphometry. Results were interpreted with special reference to qualitative aspects of regions analyzed at a microscopic level. OA cartilage with a microscopically normal appearance has a normal cell content and thickness except for the region adjacent to the zone of cartilage cleavage where a significant reduction in superficial cell density was found. OA cartilage showing middle tissue layer lesions such as unmasked fibers was characterized by an almost normal cellularity but a significantly increased tissue thickness.