Fibrous cartilage is composed of chondrocytes interspersed between thick parallel collagen fibers.
The combination of collagen fibers with components of the cartilaginous extracellular matrix has a high capacity to withstand external mechanical forces, especially tensions and torsions. Fibrocartilage is therefore a strong structure, found in places subject to significant physical forces: intervertebral discs, pubic symphysis, sites of attachment of tendons to bones, in the temporomandibular and the hip joints.
The upper image, a small magnification of an intervertebral disc, shows chondrocytes situated between collagen fibers. Its extracellular matrix does not stain bluish as in other types of cartilage, because it is formed mainly by collagen (that stains pink with eosin).
In the higher magnification of the lower figure, the chondrocytes can be distinguished aligned between thick collagen fibers and it is very evident that the chondrocytes are placed inside their capsules. Chondrocytes are highlighted in blue and collagen fibers in pink.
The differential diagnosis between fibrocartilage and tendon can be made by observing their cells: they are elongated fibroblasts in tendons and round chondrocytes in fibrocartilage.
Fibrocartilage. Staining: HE. Small magnification.
Fibrocartilage. Staining: HE. Medium magnification.
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