Slide 21. Elastic cartilage of the auricle, Orcein
Covers elastic cartilage of the auricle, the outer ear, as seen in an orcein-stained slide. Explains that orcein colours the elastic fibres dark brown-red and lists what to look for: a dense network of branching brown fibres thickest around the lacunae, chondrocytes singly or in small groups, and the perichondrium with skin on both sides. Notes how it differs from hyaline cartilage, which lacks visible fibres, and points to the related theory topic.
Inside: 1 section · 1 min
Topic 110 of 127 in the MU Sofia syllabus for Cytology (Dental Medicine, Year 1). The free AceMed note covers it in 1 section, about 79 words (1 min of reading).
In this note
Introduction
Introduction
The auricle (outer ear) is supported by elastic cartilage, which bends and springs back.
Stain
Orcein stains elastic fibres dark brown-red.
How to recognise it
A dense network of brown, branching elastic fibres throughout the matrix, thickest around the lacunae.
Many chondrocytes in lacunae, singly or in small groups.
A perichondrium, and skin on both sides of the cartilage plate.
Don't confuse it with: hyaline cartilage, which has a glassy matrix without visible fibres.
Theory: topic 48 (elastic cartilage).
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