Aspden R M, Hukins D W
Proc R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 1981 Jul 14;212(1188):299-304. doi: 10.1098/rspb.1981.0040.
X-ray diffraction has been used to measure the preferred orientation of the collagen fibrils, and their angular distribution within the tissue, as a function of depth from the articular surface in patellar cartilage. Measurements have been made at four different sites chosen to represent differing surface curvatures and regimes of wear. The orientation of fibrils in the surface layer allows it to oppose the swelling pressure exerted by the gel of hydrated glycosaminoglycans within the cartilage. An intermediate layer (where a bimodal distribution of fibrils is sometimes resolved) allows the orientation of the fibrils to change, with increasing depth, until they are roughly perpendicular to the articular surface. In this deep layer the fibrils can tie into the underlying calcified tissue so as to firmly anchor the cartilage. In the plane of the surface the fibrils tend to be aligned in the direction of stress caused by motion.
X射线衍射已被用于测量髌软骨中胶原纤维的择优取向及其在组织内的角分布，该角分布是距关节表面深度的函数。已在四个不同部位进行了测量，这些部位被选定用来代表不同的表面曲率和磨损状态。表层中纤维的取向使其能够抵抗软骨内水合糖胺聚糖凝胶施加的肿胀压力。中间层（有时可分辨出纤维的双峰分布）允许纤维的取向随着深度增加而改变，直到它们大致垂直于关节表面。在这个深层中，纤维可以与下面的钙化组织相连，从而牢固地固定软骨。在表面平面内，纤维倾向于沿运动引起的应力方向排列。
