Histology Photomicrographs

Human Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL& 241L-242L)
Karen Hart, Peninsula College

• Epithelial tissue
• Connective tissue proper
• Skin
• Cartilage and bone
  • Hyaline cartilage
  • Compact bone
  • Spongy bone
  • Epiphyseal plate
• Skeletal muscle, smooth muscle
• Nervous system
• Cardiovascular system
• Lymphatic system
• Respiratory system
• Digestive system
• Urinary system
• Reproductive system
•  
• Histology home page

Cartilage and bone: Hyaline cartilage

Examples: Hyaline cartilage is found within the wall of the trachea and the walls of the bronchi of the lung. Hyaline cartilage covers bone surfaces at synovial joints. Bars of hyaline cartilage (the costal cartilages) connect ribs to sternum.

Microscope at 400X

Cartilage cells (chondrocytes) secrete the fibers and ground substance that make up the cartilage matrix. The space in the matrix occupied by a chondrocyte is called a lacuna.

Three types of cartilage differ in the composition of their matrix.

Hyaline cartilage, shown at right, has fine, closely-packed collagen fibers. In microscope slides these fibers are not distinguishable from the rest of the matrix, thus the matrix has a smooth appearance.

Fibrocartilage contains large bundles of collagen which are visible in microscope slides. Elastic cartilage contains many elastic fibers which are visible in microscope slides.

la = lacuna (chondrocytes shrunken or lost as artifact of slide preparation)

c = chondrocyte