The surface lamina of the articular cartilage of human zygapophyseal joints

Literature referring to the conflicting results of investigations into the possible existence and composition of the lamina splendens is reviewed. Two hundred micrometer thick histological sections from 80 human cadaveric lower lumbar zygapophyseal joint articular cartilages were examined by ordinary light and darkfield microscopy. The findings illustrate what appears to be an acellular surface lamina on the opposing cartilaginous surfaces. No speculation is made regarding the possible physiological significance of the lamina based on this anatomical study.