Abstract
The acoustic properties of the supraspinatus tendon insertions of three adult Japanese white rabbits (male, 3.2-3.5 kg) were measured by scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM). After cutting parallel to the supraspinatus tendon fibers, specimens were fixed with 10% neutralized formalin, embedded in paraffin and sectioned at 5 μm thickness. The sound speed and the attenuation constant along the articular surface of the tendon from the insertion site to the musculotendinous junction were measured by SAM. The two-dimensional distribution of the acoustic properties was displayed with color-coded scales and was compared to the histologic structure. Toluidine-blue staining and immunohistochemical staining against type II collagen were performed to determine the presence of fibrocartilage besides a standard Elastica-Masson staining to assess the overall histologic structure. The distribution of the sound speed and the attenuation constant showed an almost identical pattern. Both parameters were lower in the non-mineralized fibrocartilage than those in the tendon proper. The area indicating low sound speed corresponded well to the area of metachromasia and type II collagen. The non-mineralized fibrocartilage indicated softer material properties than the tendon proper, which could be interpreted as an adaptation for the various biomechanical stresses at the insertion site.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 29-34 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Journal of Musculoskeletal Research |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2004 Mar |
Keywords
- Acoustic properties
- Attenuation constant
- Fibrocartilage
- Sound speed
- Type II collagen
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine