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Normal Cartilage (low power)
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Normal Cartilage (low power)

A medium power view of normal cartilage.
Notice the even distribution of lacunae, each with a pair of normal chondrocytes.
The cells in the lacunae secrete ground substance or matrix.
The zone of ground substance secreted by a given pair of chondrocytes is demarcated by dark lines that surround them.
The black arrows point to some of these lines of demarcation between the areas that surround individual lecunae.
(Description By:T.V.Rajan, M.D. )
(Image Contrib. by:T.V.Rajan, M.D. UCHC )
Normal
Etiology

Not applicable.
Pathogenesis

Not applicable.,
Epidemiology

Not applicable.
General Gross Description

Grossly, cartilage is a semi-translucent tissue, firm, but more flexible than bone.
It has a faintly bluish gray cast.
General Microscopic Description

There are 3 kinds of cartilage: hyaline, elastic and fibrocartilage.
The distinction between them is based on the amount of collagen and elastic fibers that are part of the intercellular matrix.
It is composed of abundant bluish gray matrix embedded in which are lacunae.
Lying within the lacunae are the cells that are involved in the synthesis of the cartilage, known as chondrocytes.
Hyaline cartilage is found in the nose and tracheal rings.
Elastic cartilage is found in the external ear, the walls of the auditory and the Eustachian canals, the epiglottis and the larynx.
Fibrocartilage is present at the insertion of ligaments and tendons into bone.
Clinical Correlation

Not applicable.
References

Pathology, 2nd edition: Rubin E, Farber JL (eds). Philadelphia, J.B. Lippincott, 1994, pp. 1279.
Normal
Synopsis by: T.V.Rajan, M.D., Ph.D. (T1X700M00100)[564]
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