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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 January 2012
Articular cartilage is a low-friction, load-bearing tissue located at jointsurfaces. It experiences static and dynamic forces including shear,compression and tension. We investigate the relationship between structureand function by measuring the osmotic and mechanical properties in cartilagelayers as a function of the distance from the articular surface. Atomicforce microscopy is used to probe the mechanical properties at high spatialresolution. The mechanical measurements are complemented by osmotic swellingpressure observations made on the same samples using a novel tissueosmometer. The results show that the osmotic modulus significantly dependson the distance from the articular surface. Its value is highest in the deepzone and lowest in the middle zone.