The natural interface between bone and tendon : SEM observations of the enthesis in an ovine model

The present study investigates the naturally occurring interface between bone and tendon using scanning electron microscopy. The micrographs revealed a cartilaginous layer, 100 to 400 [mu]m thick apposing bone, that contained cells varying in size and shape as a function of their location in this cartilaginous layer. Further investigation is required to conclude whether these cells are undergoing further differentiation during development of this graded layer. This study found the interface between bone and the cartilaginous layer to be interdigitated, which may explain why injuries at the bone-tendon interface are comparatively rare. Also, the cartilaginous layer was revealed to be substantially mineralized. A somewhat higher concentration of calcium and phosphorus was observed near the interface with the apposing bone that gradually diminished into the cartilaginous layer. These findings support the four zone description of the bone-tendon interface established by others using histological methods. However, further research is suggested to resolve other questions about the observed sub-micrometer morphologies of the bone-tendon interface.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2010

Author dc:creator

• Reese, Willie Mae

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Linn W. Hobbs.

• Materials Science and Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• MIT theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed, downloaded, or printed from this source but further reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/112495

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/112495