Novel articular cartilage structure in the South American opossum, Monodelphis domestica.

摘要: Articular cartilage provides smooth surfaces for low-friction, unrestricted movement of opposing skeletal elements. The surface topography articular has been the subject numerous studies and, with few exceptions, is considered to be (at least at light microscopic level). Some have reported 'humps' on which related underlying chondrocytes residing very close surface. Here we report a highly nodular form in distal limb joints South American opossum, Monodelphis domestica. Unlike previous reports, these are visible under dissecting microscope. Each 'hump' or 'nodule' represents surrounding matrix single sometimes paired rounded chondrocytes. Flattened normally associated mammalian were absent from joints. Interestingly, more proximal such as knee showed typical features including flattened superficial