Epiphyseal Plate
NOTES:
This medium-power view of the epiphyseal plate of a long bone shows the various regions in greater detail. From the epiphyseal to diaphyseal side (left to right) are shown: (1) Zone of resting cartilage - small chondrocytes with abundant matrix, these do not participate in bone growth; (2) Zone of proliferating cartilage - larger chondrocytes in active mitosis, arranged like "stacks of coins;" (3) Zone of hypertrophic cartilage - large, maturing chondrocytes in columns; (4) Zone of calcified cartilage - mostly dead cells with calcified matrix (white spaces), to be replaced by osteoblasts and capillaries from the diaphysis.
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