CARTILAGE. 



39 



Articular Cartilage (Fig. 31). The cartilage-cells of this vari- 

 ety are usually arranged in small groups in a ground-substance or 

 matrix, which is clear except when examined under a high power 

 of the microscope, when it appears granular. In this matrix there 

 are no fibers except at the edges, where some fibers may be found 

 and where the cells are branched. At the edges the cartilage is in 



IS^^!^ - } 



White fibrous con- 

 nective tissue. 



White fibrocarti- 

 lage. 





} Insertion of liga- 

 J mentum teres. 



Hyaline cartilage. 



FIG. 31. Insertion of the ligamentum teres into the head of the femur ; longi- 

 tudinal section; X 650 (Bohm and Davidoff). 



communication with the synovial membrane (Fig. 31), and the cells 

 of the cartilage are branched and resemble the branched cells of 

 the connective tissue of the synovial membrane, from which fact 

 they give to the cartilage the name transitional Although hyaline 

 cartilage is described as having a matrix free from fibers, still, 

 under proper treatment, a fibrous character can be made out. 



Articular cartilage covers the ends of bones in the joints 



