The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol 59, Issue 6 703-723, Copyright © 1977 by Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc
Organization and cellular biology of the perichondrial ossification groove of ranvier: a morphological study in rabbits
F Shapiro, ME Holtrop and MJ Glimcher
The perichondrial ossification groove of Ranvier, a circumferential groove
in the periphery of the epiphyseal cartilage, was studied in rabbits whose
ages ranged from one week to eight months using light and electron
microscopy, autoradiography after labeling with 3H-thymidine, 3H-proline,
and 3H-glucosamine, and histochemical staining for proteoglycans and
alkaline phosphatase. By these methods, three groups of cells were
identified within the groove: 1. A group of densely packed cells deep in
the groove, which are the progenitor cells for the osteoblasts that form
the bone bark, a cuff of bone surrounding the epiphyseal growth-plate
region and the adjacent part of the metaphysis. 2. A group of more widely
dispersed, relatively undifferentiated mesenchymal cells and fibroblasts,
some of which are chondroblast precursors that probably contribute to
appositional chondrogenesis and growth in width of the epiphyseal
cartilage. 3. Fibroblasts and fibrocytes among sheets of highly oriented
and organized collagen fibers which form a fibrous layer that is continuous
with the outer fibrous layer of the periosteum and with the perichondrium.
This layer also sends fibers into the epiphyseal cartilage and anchors the
periosteum firmly to the epiphyses as bone growth proceeds.
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