[Structure of the interstitial space and ground substance of the human articular cartilage]

By means of transmissive and scanning electron microscopy (investigation of ultra-replicas) three-dimensional organization of the interstitial (interfibrillar) space of the articular cartilage has been demonstrated; it repeats, to some extent, construction of the fibrous base. By means of mercury porometry quantitative characteristics of various parameters of the interfibrillar space are obtained. Their specific volume is 0.96 cm3/g of the dehydrated cartilage, space with equivalent diameters from 300 up to 5 nm makes 94%. By means of the gas adsorption method it has been stated that the specific internal surface is 23.8 m2 per 1 g of the dehydrated articular cartilage. Transmissive and scanning electron histochemistry has revealed several various forms of structured proteoglycans, demonstrated their spatial organization and interconnection with collagenous fibrils. The methodical complex applied can be used for investigating the connective tissue interstitial spaces in other parts of the human locomotor apparatus.