QUANTITATIVE-ANALYSIS OF TRABECULAR MORPHOGENESIS IN THE HUMAN COSTOCHONDRAL JUNCTION DURING THE POSTNATAL-PERIOD IN NORMAL SUBJECTS

Background: Quantitative histomorphometric features of the bone growth plate in the human rib have been investigated in infants, ranging in age from 3-36 weeks (mean 18.6 weeks) to provide data currently not av ailable. Methods: Measurements were taken in each histological zone of the growth plate, Data from 20 cases were pooled and parameters descr ibing the characteristic features of trabecular bone calculated using morphometric formulae, The measurements were made from the resting zon e of the cartilage to the secondary spongiosa, 3.78 mm from the starti ng point. Results: Cartilage volume fraction decreased from 78% in the resting zone to a bone volume fraction of between 20% and 30% in the secondary cancellous bone, Cartilage matrix surface increased rapidly in the cartilage and bone mineral surface declined in correspondence w ith the development of primary bone, The distance between chondrocyte lacunae was observed to decrease throughout the cartilage to a transve rse septa thickness of 18 mu m in the hypertrophic zone, A rapid incre ase in trabecular thickness to 128 mu m was observed in the primary sp ongiosa, the secondary spongiosa ranging between 137 mu m and 168 mu m . Spacing, chondrocyte profile transverse diameter, increased to 30 mu m in the hypertrophic zone, following which an increase in trabecular separation to 347 mu m was observed in the primary spongiosa, The num ber of transverse intervals between individual chondrocyte lacunae was observed to increase in the cartilage to a maximum of 21.3 cartilagin ous or mineralised septa per mm of growth plate length in the hypertro phic zone, Trabeculae in the metaphysis then decreased in number to si milar to 1.5 trabeculae per mm in the secondary spongiosa. Conclusions : These data thus provide new insight into the development of trabecul ar structure during growth and normal values for the comparison of tis sue from skeletal dysplasias and growth disorders. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss , Inc.