This micrograph reveals hyaline cartilage from the trachea as seen in a routinely prepared specimen. The cartilage appears as an avascular expanse of matrix material and a population of cells called chondrocytes (Ch). The chondrocytes produce the matrix; the space each chondrocyte occupies is called a lacuna (L). Surrounding the cartilage and in immediate apposition to it is a cover of connective tissue, the perichondrium (P). The perichondrium serves as a source of new chondrocytes during appositional growth of the cartilage. Often, the perichondrium reveals two distinctive layers: an outer, more fibrous layer and an inner, more cellular layer. The inner, more cellular layer is chondrogenic and provides for external growth.
Cartilage matrix contains collagenous fibrils masked by ground substance in which they are embedded; thus, the fibrils are not evident. The
Hyaline cartilage, trachea, human, H&E ×850.
This higher magnification micrograph reveals the area within the rectangle in lower left figure. The chondrocytes (Ch) in the upper part of the micrograph represent an isogenous group and are producing matrix material for interstitial growth. A prominent capsule is not yet evident. The lightly stained ba sophilic area reveals immature chondrocytes (arrows) within the perichondrium (P). Closest to the cartilage matrix, within the perichondrium (P), matrix also contains, among other components, sulfated glycosaminoglycans that exhibit basophilia with hematoxylin or other basic dyes. Also, the matrix material immediately surrounding a lacuna tends to stain more intensely with basic dyes. This region is referred to as a capsule (Cap). Not uncommonly, the matrix may appear to stain more intensely in localized areas (asterisks) that look much like the capsule matrix. This results from  inclusion of a capsule within the thickness of the section, but not the lacuna it surrounds.
Frequently, two or more chondrocytes are located extremely close to one another, separated by only a thin partition of matrix. These are isogenous cell clusters that arise from a single predecessor cell. The proliferation of new chondrocytes by this means with the consequent addition of matrix results in interstitial growth of the cartilage.
Hyaline cartilage, trachea, human, H&E ×160.
The hyaline cartilage in this micrograph is from a specimen obtained shortly after death and kept cool during fixation. The procedure reduces the loss of its negatively charged sulfate groups; thus, the matrix is stained more heavily with hematoxylin. Also, note the very distinct and deeply stained  capsules (arrows) surrounding the chondrocytes. The capsule represents the site where the sulfated glycosaminoglycans are most concentrated. In contrast to the basophilia of the cartilage matrix, the perichondrium (P) is stained with eosin. The lightly stained region between the perichondrium and the deeply stained matrix is matrix that has not yet matured. It has fewer sulfate groups.
are  several chondrocytes that exhibit just barely detectable cytoplasm and elongate nuclei (FCh). These cells are formative chondrocytes that are just beginning to, or will shortly, produce matrix material. In contrast, the nuclei near the bottom edge of the micrograph are fibroblast nuclei (Fib); they belong to the outer layer of the perichondrium. Note how attenuated their nuclei are compared with the formative chondroblast nuclei of the inner perichondrial layer.
KEY Cap, capsule Ch, chondrocytes FCh, formative chondrocytes Fib, fibroblasts L, lacuna P, perichondrium arrows, immature chondrocytes asterisk, capsule of a lacuna, but with lacuna and contained chondrocyte not included within the thickness of the section
PLATE 8 Cartilage and the Developing Skeleton