COMMUNICATING CARTILAGE CANALS OF THE PHYSIS OF THE DISTAL PART OF THE ULNA OF GROWING SWINE AND THEIR POTENTIAL ROLE IN HEALING OF METAPHYSEAL DYSPLASIA OF OSTEOCHONDROSIS

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 43  (6) , 938-944
Abstract
The distal parts of ulnae of 22 pigs ranging in age from 1 day-6 mo. were studied histologically. Communicating cartilage canals passing from the epiphyseal vasculature through the physis and anastomosing with the metaphyseal vasculature were identified in neonatal pigs. In older pigs, the communicating cartilage canals had become smaller, as evidenced by the presence of only capillaries. Eosinophilic matrical streaks and patches containing scattered elongated nuclei and centrally located accumulations of erythrocytes within the physis became more numerous in groups of old pigs. These streaks were considered to be compressed, nonpathologic extensions of the communicating physeal cartilage canals. In abnormally thick physeal cartilage of dysplastic 3-mo.-old pigs, ossification was observed around hypertrophied communicating cartilage canals in the central portion of the lesion. With reestablishment of endochondral ossification, the physis could return to its normal thickness and laminar pattern.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: