![This is blank.](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/themes/histology-unified/imgs/trans.png)
Regressing cartilage
Cartilage undergoes regressive changes in response to physiological alterations in the cartilage matrix. These regressive changes occur normally during endochondral bone formation and in aging cartilage. 400x
![Hypertrophy > <p>Degenerating cartilage cells enlarge (hypertrophy), mature, and secrete alkaline phosphatase, which facilitates calcification of the matrix. A calcified matrix prohibits diffusion of nutrients, so chondrocytes die, leaving empty lacunae surrounded by a calcified cartilage matrix. These regressive stages occur in the aging process as well as in the epiphyseal plates of growing long bones.</p>](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/T.C.C.H.10A-1-ping.png)
Hypertrophy >
Degenerating cartilage cells enlarge (hypertrophy), mature, and secrete alkaline phosphatase, which facilitates calcification of the matrix. A calcified matrix prohibits diffusion of nutrients, so chondrocytes die, leaving empty lacunae surrounded by a calcified cartilage matrix. These regressive stages occur in the aging process as well as in the epiphyseal plates of growing long bones.
![Calcified cartilage matrix <p>Degenerating cartilage cells enlarge (hypertrophy), mature, and secrete alkaline phosphatase, which facilitates calcification of the matrix. A calcified matrix prohibits diffusion of nutrients, so chondrocytes die, leaving empty lacunae surrounded by a calcified cartilage matrix. These regressive stages occur in the aging process as well as in the epiphyseal plates of growing long bones.</p>](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/T.C.C.H.10A-2-ping.png)
Calcified cartilage matrix
Degenerating cartilage cells enlarge (hypertrophy), mature, and secrete alkaline phosphatase, which facilitates calcification of the matrix. A calcified matrix prohibits diffusion of nutrients, so chondrocytes die, leaving empty lacunae surrounded by a calcified cartilage matrix. These regressive stages occur in the aging process as well as in the epiphyseal plates of growing long bones.
![Empty lacunae <p>Degenerating cartilage cells enlarge (hypertrophy), mature, and secrete alkaline phosphatase, which facilitates calcification of the matrix. A calcified matrix prohibits diffusion of nutrients, so chondrocytes die, leaving empty lacunae surrounded by a calcified cartilage matrix. These regressive stages occur in the aging process as well as in the epiphyseal plates of growing long bones.</p>](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/T.C.C.H.10A-3-ping.png)
Empty lacunae
Degenerating cartilage cells enlarge (hypertrophy), mature, and secrete alkaline phosphatase, which facilitates calcification of the matrix. A calcified matrix prohibits diffusion of nutrients, so chondrocytes die, leaving empty lacunae surrounded by a calcified cartilage matrix. These regressive stages occur in the aging process as well as in the epiphyseal plates of growing long bones.
![Image source > <p>This image was taken of slide from the University of California, San Francisco slide collection.</p>](https://digitalhistology.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/UCSF-source-ping.png)
Image source >
This image was taken of slide from the University of California, San Francisco slide collection.