Figure 7­6
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The individual chondrocytes are located in openings, or lacunae, in the extracellular matrix. As a result of tissue
Holdings,
shrinkage in the preparation of the specimen, the chondrocytes retract from the walls of the lacunae. Often, groups
of two or four cells occupy a lacuna. This suggests that the cells have divided and have formed isogenous clusters
during interstitial growth of cartilage.
LLC.
Not
The matrix closely associated with the wall of the lacuna is termed the territorial matrix (arrow), and stains more
to
densely than the rest of the matrix because of the concentration of organic material there. The chondrocytes syn-
be
thesize and secrete the components of the matrix that accumulate in the vicinity of the chondrocytes before diffusing
redistributed
to the area away from the chondrocytes. Delicate fibrils of type II collagen can also be seen in the matrix.
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300

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