Chondrocyte distribution in the articular cartilage of human femoral condyles
Gilmore, R.S.; Palfrey, A.J.
Journal of Anatomy 157: 23-31
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-8782 PMID: 3198480 Document Number: 320071
The distribution of chondrocytes throughout the total thickness of articular cartilage from the femoral condyles of infants, children and adults has been studied using serial sections cut parallel to the articular surface as well as sections cut perpendicular to the surface. From each specimen, six levels were chosen encompassing the full thickness of the articular cartilage and cell counts were carried out at each level. The thickness of the articular cartilage was estimated in fixed sectioned material from the specimens. In one of the adult specimens, the thickness of the articular cartilage was estimated firstly by direct measurement of the cut surfaces of a series of blocks cut from both condyles and then from the number of parallel sections of the cartilage prepared from those blocks and cell counts were carried out. Cell density was found to be highest in the superficial zone of all specimens examined, declining to lower values in the deep zone of the cartilage. Within this pattern the infant specimens had the highest values for cell density and the adults the lowest, with values for children in an intermediate range. There was no significant variation in cell density across the condyles of the selected adult specimen. The absolute values for cartilage thickness depended on the method used, but in general total thickness was found to approximately double from late gestation to maturity. In the selected adult specimen, the cartilage was thickest just anterior and posterior to the main weight-bearing area of the condyles.