Use of polarized light for quantitative determination of the adjustment of the tangential fibres in articular cartilage

Abstract

According to recent research the course of the tangential fibres is gaining increasing importance for the analysis of the first signs of pathological alterations in the articular cartilage. In a model-test, parallel-running synthetic double-refracting filaments, rotated between polarisator and analysator at right angles to each other effect an extinction curve which has two maxima at 45 degrees and the minimum at 0 degrees. Crossing filaments at different angles effects curves which are specific for the different angles in such a manner that with increasing angles to 45 degrees the curves approximate to a horizontal line. On the other hand the course of the different curves make it possible to determine corresponding angles. Then the same method is used to estimate the mean crossing-angles of tangential fibres in histological sections of articular cartilage with masked collagen fibres. The method is suitable for a quantitative calculation of the crossing-angles between 0 degrees and 45 degrees, which cannot be defined by the split-line method of Hultkrantz. In contrast to the conditions of the scanning electron microscope, the integrating nature of the polarized light is advantageous because it permits analysis of a more extensive visual field. From comparisons with the test model, a considerable variety of crossing angles of tangential fibres in the cartilage can be shown to exist.

Functional anatomy of the equine temporomandibular joint: Collagen fiber texture of the articular surfaces

“…The correlation between split-lines and collagen fiber orientation has been validated by polarization microscopy (Ortmann, 1975) and by scanning electron microscopy (Petersen and Tillmann, 1998a). Besides these ultrastructural examinations, functional examinations of the collagen fiber apparatus have been performed using the split-line technique.…”

Automatic Evaluation of Collagen Fiber Directions from Polarized Light Microscopy Images

“…The proposed method may have application in extending the research of such tissues as skin (Wolman & Gillman, 1972), cartilage (Ortmann, 1975; Arokoski et al, 1996; Kiraly et al, 1997; Nieminen et al, 2001; Rieppo et al, 2008; Changoor et al, 2011), bone (Bromage et al, 2003; Retamoso et al, 2010) tendons, and muscles (Pickering & Boughner, 1991; Franchi et al, 2007).…”

A review of some recent developments in polarization-sensitive optical imaging techniques for the study of articular cartilage

“…In this model the fibers do not descend back to the bone but terminate in the tangential layer. There is evidence from TEM and polarised light microscopy to further suggest that the fiber direction in alternate lamellae in the tangential layer is not uniform, but can vary by as much as 45 degrees between lamellae 13 .…”