Multivacuolated cells in human cartilage canals.
Light and electron microscopic examination of cartilage canals in 39 infants (from fetuses to 2 years of age) revealed the presence of multivacuolated cells in the connective tissue of the canals. These cells showed an irregular and electron-dense nucleus and cytoplasm; the latter was almost filled by large, irregular, membrane-bound vacuoles without or with hardly apparent content. Histochemistry revealed a weakly positive stain with periodic-acid-Schiff, oil-red-o and muramidase techniques in these cells which seem to be degenerated macrophages.
D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000166:cytology; D002356:Cartilage / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000648:ultrastructure