Cartilage, trabecular bone and bone marrow in a mouse femur

Decalcified wax section through the top of the head of a mouse thigh bone (femur). This tissue section was stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Cartilage (round purple cells and dark purple edges), trabecular bone (pink) and bone marrow (large space in the top left corner) is visible. Cartilage is a strong, flexible supporting tissue that covers the bone at the end of a joint. Trabecular bone (also called cancellous or spongy bone) is porous bone that protects the bone marrow and provides support at the ends of a weight-bearing bone. Bone marrow is a soft tissue found in the centre of bones which makes blood stem cells (haematopoietic stem cells). Horizontal width of image is 14 mm.