Microscopic examination of aicular surface of a synol joint demonstrates the following histology representing:
The typical diahrodial synol joint has two opposing surfaces composed of hyaline aicular cailage. Microscopically, the cailage is composed of four distinct zones. 1) Superficial tangential zone characterized by chondrocytes, and collagen fibers aligned roughly parallel to the surface 2) Intermediate zone 3) Deep radial zone with chondrocytes and collagen fibers aligned perpendicular to the surface 4) Zone of calcified cailage firmly joined to the underlying subchondral bone
Hyaline cailage
Adipocytes
Endothelial cells
Periosteum