[Orientational analysis of the ultrastructural architecture of the fibrous base of human articular cartilage].

An equivalent well reproduced reliable method of quantitative morphological orientational analysis has been chosen. Determination of the character, predominant direction and degree of orientation of the structural elements have been foreseen. Computer morphological orientational analysis of the fibrous architectonics of the human articular cartilage makes it possible to present a quantitative characteristics of peculiarities in its structural organization along the distance from the articular surface up to the subchondral bone. Certain objective data obtained confirm existance of three layers in the cartilage having various construction of the fibrous base: superficial layer with a predominant orientation of the collagenous fibrils in parallel with the articular surface; central--nonoriented; deep layer--with a radial orientation of fibrils. The method of orientational analysis applied can be used for quantitative characteristic of the fibrous base architectonics of any part of the locomotor apparatus in the human being and animals.