EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX OF THE HYALINE CARTILAGE
The extracellular matrix of cartilage is produced and maintained by the chondrocytes. This newly produced matrix does not diffuse easily in the remaining matrix and becomes more concentrated around the chondrocytes.
In hyaline cartilages, the matrix is quite homogeneous and stains in different shades of blue/purple with hematoxylin.
The higher concentration of matrix molecules around isolated chondrocytes and around isogenous groups of chondrocytes is called territorial matrix – indicated by the letter T in the image. The less concentrated matrix present between isogenous groups, that stains with less intensity, is the interterritorial matrix (IT in the image).
In hyaline cartilages, the matrix is quite homogeneous and stains in different shades of blue/purple with hematoxylin.
The higher concentration of matrix molecules around isolated chondrocytes and around isogenous groups of chondrocytes is called territorial matrix – indicated by the letter T in the image. The less concentrated matrix present between isogenous groups, that stains with less intensity, is the interterritorial matrix (IT in the image).
