Scanning electron micrograph of a crystal of calcium phosphate lying on the surface of cartilage in the knee joint. The tissue was taken from a patien

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Scanning electron micrograph of a crystal of calcium phosphate lying on the surface of cartilage in the knee joint. The tissue was taken from a patient with chondrocalcinosis, a disease characterised by the presence of these crystals in joint cartilage. They cause inflammation, swelling, reduced articulation & may lead to the destruction of the joint. The disease is also known as pseudogout for its resemblance to gout. The crystals associated with gout, however, are formed from sodium urate due to a malfunctioning of the uric acid metabolism. Magnification X650 (at 13x13cm size).

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Size: 4278px × 4475px
Photo credit: © DR GILBERT FAURE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: calcium, cartilage, chondrocalcinosis, condition, crystal, crystals, disease, disorder, healthcare, medical, medicine, phosphate, pseudogout, sem