Fibrous waveforms or crimp in surface and subsurface layers of hyaline cartilage maintained in its wet functional...

The structural features of hyaline cartilage maintained in its wet functional condition have been examined using the technique of Nomarski interference microscopy. The collagenous arrays and associated chondrocytes in both the extreme superficial layers and in the deeper subsurface zones were satisfactorily imaged with this technique. Most significantly the collagen fibers were observed to possess a geometric waveform or "crimp" of varying acuteness and the role of this crimp is discussed in relation to the mechanical and biological function of the tissue. It is clear from these wet tissue studies that the fibrous layout in hyaline cartilage is considerably more "disciplined" than has been previously recognized from morphological data obtained using more indirect experimental techniques involving prepared histological sections or scanning and transmission electron microscopy.