Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
08:57
Layered Alginate Constructs: A Platform for Co-culture of Heterogeneous Cell Populations
Published on: August 7, 2016
The layered structure of the articular surface
R Fujioka1, T Aoyama, T Takakuwa
1Human Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Japan. fujioka.rune.34w@st.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage
|May 18, 2013
Summary
The most superficial zone (MSZ) of articular cartilage is revealed to have three distinct layers. This study clarifies the MSZ structure, crucial for understanding the joint
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Orthopedic Research
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Articular cartilage has three known zones: tangential, middle, and deep.
- The most superficial zone (MSZ) structure and molecular composition remain unclear.
- The MSZ directly interfaces with the joint cavity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the structure of the most superficial zone (MSZ) of articular cartilage.
- To characterize the layered organization of the MSZ.
- To investigate the molecular components within the MSZ layers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized porcine knee cartilage specimens (N=16, 6 months old).
- Employed light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
- Integrated histochemical and immunohistochemical analyses for molecular characterization.
Main Results:
- The MSZ is definitively subdivided into three distinct layers.
- Collagen types I, II, and III are present in the innermost (third) MSZ layer.
- Type II collagen predominates beneath the third layer, with minor type III collagen, identifying this as the tangential layer.
Conclusions:
- The most superficial zone (MSZ) of articular cartilage comprises three distinct layers.
- Further molecular analysis of each MSZ layer is recommended.
- This research enhances understanding of articular surface structure.
Keywords:
Articular surfaceCollagen subtypesLamina splendensScanning electron microscopyTransmission electron microscopyMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:16Structural Joints: Synovial Joints
Synovial joints are the most common type of joint in the body. A key structural characteristic for a synovial joint is the presence of a joint cavity. This fluid-filled space is where the articulating surfaces of the bones contact each other. Also, unlike fibrous or cartilaginous joints, the articulating bone surfaces at a synovial joint are not directly connected to each other with fibrous connective tissue or cartilage. This gives the bones of a synovial joint the ability to move smoothly...
01:23Knee Joint
The knee joint is the most complicated joint in the body. It consists of three articulations– two tibiofemoral and one patellofemoral. As is characteristic of synovial joints, the knee joint has a thin articular capsule that partially surrounds this joint cavity. Additionally, several ligaments, muscles, and cartilaginous structures support the movement of the knee.
A total of seven ligaments support the knee joint. The patellar ligament, which is also attached to the quadriceps femoris group...
A total of seven ligaments support the knee joint. The patellar ligament, which is also attached to the quadriceps femoris group...
01:20Structural Classification of Joints
Joints, also known as articulations, are classified based on their structural characteristics, i.e., based on whether the articulating surfaces of the adjacent bones are directly connected by fibrous connective tissue or cartilage, or whether the articulating surfaces contact each other within a fluid-filled joint cavity. These differences serve to divide the joints of the body into three structural classifications.
A fibrous joint is where the adjacent bones are united by fibrous connective...
A fibrous joint is where the adjacent bones are united by fibrous connective...
01:17Gross Anatomy of Bone
The two main features of a long bone are the diaphysis and the epiphysis.
The diaphysis is the tubular shaft that runs between the proximal and distal ends of the bone. The walls of the diaphysis are composed of dense and hard compact bone made of numerous osteons — the functional unit of the compact bone. The hollow region in the diaphysis is called the medullary cavity, which harbors the bone marrow. In infants and children, this marrow cavity is filled with red marrow, whereas in adults, it...
The diaphysis is the tubular shaft that runs between the proximal and distal ends of the bone. The walls of the diaphysis are composed of dense and hard compact bone made of numerous osteons — the functional unit of the compact bone. The hollow region in the diaphysis is called the medullary cavity, which harbors the bone marrow. In infants and children, this marrow cavity is filled with red marrow, whereas in adults, it...
01:55Bone Structure
Within the skeletal system, the structure of a bone, or osseous tissue, can be exemplified in a long bone, like the femur, where there are two types of osseous tissue: cortical and cancellous.
01:17Structural Joints: Cartilaginous Joints
As the name indicates, at a cartilaginous joint, the adjacent bones are united by cartilage, a tough but flexible type of connective tissue. Unlike synovial joints, these types of joints lack a joint cavity and involve bones joined together by either hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage.
There are two types of cartilaginous joints:
Synchondrosis
A synchondrosis ("joined by cartilage") is a cartilaginous joint where bones are connected by hyaline cartilage. Synchondrosis may be temporary or...
There are two types of cartilaginous joints:
Synchondrosis
A synchondrosis ("joined by cartilage") is a cartilaginous joint where bones are connected by hyaline cartilage. Synchondrosis may be temporary or...