Contents

**Preface XI**


## **Section 2 Orthopedics 77**

Chapter 5 **Macroscopic Anatomy, Histopathology, and Image Diagnosis of Joints and Synovial Cartilages 79** Flávio Ribeiro Alves, Renan Paraguassu de Sá Rodrigues, Andrezza Braga Soares da Silva, Gerson Tavares Pessoa, Laecio da Silva Moura, Jacyara de Jesus Rosa Pereira Alves, Kássio Vieira Macedo and Robson Giglio


Preface

er's work only increased.

associated with cartilage lesions.

clinical use of currently available therapies.

This work is the result of a partnership that began in 2011, when I received for the first time the invitation to be the scientific editor of a book on bone grafting, by the still little publisher known as InTech. I remember very well the publisher's proposal to make the knowledge more accessible through the open access system. At that time, I decided to accept the invita‐ tion of the still young publisher, founded in 2004. The reason was the enthusiasm of Ms. Ana Pantar, editorial consultant, and Ms. Jana Sertic, publishing process manager, also, be‐

Now six years later, InTech has grown and thrived. This is the fourth book in which I am the scientific editor. I can say that my respect and warm approval for the quality of the publish‐

In this book, entitled *Cartilage Repair and Regeneration*, I am pleased to work with a subject that has gained much notoriety. The hyaline cartilage is a tissue that challenges tissue engi‐ neering and regenerative medicine because of its avascular nature. The chondrocyte, the cell responsible for producing the extracellular matrix that confers the unique properties of the hyaline cartilage, is one of the most difficult cells to be cultured, as well as neurons and en‐

At the same time, the advancement of the life span of the population and the increase in the practice of sports activities have led to an increasing incidence of pains caused by problems

In the eleven chapters of this book, the reader will find texts written by researchers working on advanced topics related to basic laboratory research, as well as excellent reviews on the

**Alessandro R. Zorzi, MD, MSc, PhD and João Batista de Miranda, Prof**

Department of Orthopedic Surgery State University of Campinas, Brazil

dothelial cells, because of their high degree of differentiation and specialization.

cause I agreed to the need for a new and must fair publication system.

Mohamed Khamis Tolba Mahmoud Abdalla
