Collagenous network in cartilage of human femoral condyles. A light microscopic and scanning electron microscopic study.

To determine the spatial arrangement of collagen fibrils in articular cartilage of the human femoral head, three healthy femoral heads, obtained at necropsy, were examined by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Light microscopic observations revealed no collagen fibril organization. Scanning electron microscopic observations showed a fine fibrillar texture throughout the articular cartilage. At the articular surface, smooth and fibrillated areas were detectable. Underneath the articular surface, the collagen network in the superficial zone showed a tighter appearance when compared with the homogeneous collagen network of the matrix in the deeper zones. The calcified cartilage zone was well demarcated from the uncalcified cartilage. The arcade model of Benninghoff [Z. Zellforsch. Mikrosk. Anat. 2: 783-862 (1925)] could not be confirmed. It was concluded that the organization of collagen fibrils in hyaline cartilage shows a three-dimensional network of randomly oriented fibrils.