Multivacuolated cells in human cartilage canals.

Light and electron microscopic examination of cartilage canals in 39 infants (from fetuses to 2 years of age) revealed the presence of multivacuolated cells in the connective tissue of the canals. These cells showed an irregular and electron-dense nucleus and cytoplasm; the latter was almost filled by large, irregular, membrane-bound vacuoles without or with hardly apparent content. Histochemistry revealed a weakly positive stain with periodic-acid-Schiff, oil-red-o and muramidase techniques in these cells which seem to be degenerated macrophages.