Joint bone microstructure, illustration 插畫檔

Illustration showing the structural organisation of articular bone tissue, arranged sequentially from superficial to deep layers. The outermost layer comprises articular cartilage, predominantly composed of hyaline cartilage, which presents a smooth surface to minimize joint friction and absorb mechanical shock. Immediately beneath lies the compact bone, formed by densely arranged osteons that provide primary mechanical support. The deepest layer consists of spongy bone, exhibiting a porous, sponge-like architecture that surrounds a central medullary cavity responsible for reducing bone mass and facilitating haematopoiesis