关节软骨 ARTICULAR CARTILAGE

关节软骨 ARTICULAR CARTILAGE

关节软骨 ARTICULAR CARTILAGE

关节软骨是一层薄薄的组织，排列在所有双关节的骨端。健康的关节软骨使我们更容易移动。它允许骨骼在彼此之间滑动，摩擦很小，并改善了骨骼之间的负荷转移。关节软骨退行性变的特点是结构和生化改变导致骨关节炎（OA）的临床综合征。这些变化将导致机械功能的严重丧失，并成为疼痛的根源。为了找到缓解症状或终*OA的治疗方法和药物，医生和研究人员需要研究人类和动物模型中的疾病演变和治疗效果。无论是在人类全膝关节置换时，还是在动物模型的尸检时，对整个关节表面的体外机械压痕作图或对活检样品的机械测试都能产生大量关于降解模式和组织生化成分的有用信息。

Articular cartilage is the thin layer of tissue which lines the bony ends of all diarthrodial joints. Healthy cartilage in our joints makes it easier to move. It allows the bones to glide over each other with very little friction and improves the load transfer between bones. Articular cartilage degeneration is characterized by structural and biochemical changes leading to the clinical syndrome of Osteoarthritis (OA). These changes will lead to a significant loss of mechanical function and be the source of pain. In their efforts to find treatments and drugs to alleviate the symptoms or to eventually cure OA, doctors and researchers need to study the disease evolution and the effect of treatments in humans and in animal models. Either by the time of total knee replacement in humans or at necropsy in animal models, ex vivo mechanical indentation mapping of entire articular surface or mechanical testing of biopsies samples can generate a huge amount of useful information about degradation patterns and tissue biochemical composition.