Figure 2

(A) . A semitransparent membrane corresponding to the lamina splendens (LS) was physically peeled off from normal articular cartilage (N) of a cow femoral head (unloading region). (B). A 3D image of the lamina splendens shows the collagen network within it is compromised of unique interwoven collagen bundles (ICB). (C). The corresponding MBI of the collagen network in LS in Fig (B). (D). Traditional histology shows the site where the lamina splendens was separated from the normal (cow) cartilage. (E). Traditional histology of early arthritic cartilage from a human femoral head shows disrupting the articular surface in early OA is a process similar to physically peeling off the lamina splendens. (F). Traditional histology of normal cartilage physically peeled the lamina splendens (indicated as CP (cartilage peeled lamina splendens) in Fig 2(A)) shows loss of the most superficial layer of articular cartilage can expose some chondrocytes near the surface to the joint cavity.