What are the Histological Features of Elastic Cartilage?
Under the microscope, elastic cartilage can be identified by its distinctive matrix and cell composition. The matrix is rich in elastin fibers, which appear as dark, branching strands when stained with specific dyes such as Verhoeff's stain. The chondrocytes, or cartilage cells, are housed within lacunae and are often more numerous and larger than those in hyaline cartilage.
