[Sources of nutrition and structural regeneration of articular cartilage]

Based on data obtained from comparative anatomic vessel material by methods of modern histology and cytology considerations were made on ways of structural and functional differentiation of chondrocytes and peculiarities of articular cartilage cytoarchitecture. Nutrition of articular cartilage cells is provided by subcartilaginous bone vessels. Synovial medium of the joint maintains the cartilaginous state of the surface of the connected skeletal units. Physiological self repair of articular cartilage occurs due to interstitial growth provided by the maintenance of chondrocyte proliferation in interstitial (intermediate) zone.