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Epiphyseal growth plate, light micrograph
Light micrograph of an epiphyseal growth plate showing columns of chondrocytes and the cartilage matrix they secrete stained blue. The uppermost zone contains reserve or stem-type cells that proliferate, mature and enlarge. These hypertrophied chondrocytes are believed to die but recent findings suggest they may transdifferentiate into bone-forming cells that secrete new bone matrix. Above and below the growth plate, the spongy, or cancellous, bone matrix is stained pink-red and calcified cartilage is blue. Paraffin section, alcian blue, and haematoxylin and eosin stain. Magnification: x70 when width printed at 10cm., by MICROSCAPE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
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