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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 January 2012
Articular cartilage is a low-friction, load-bearing tissue located at joint surfaces. It experiences static and dynamic forces including shear, compression and tension. We investigate the relationship between structure and function by measuring the osmotic and mechanical properties in cartilage layers as a function of the distance from the articular surface. Atomic force microscopy is used to probe the mechanical properties at high spatial resolution. The mechanical measurements are complemented by osmotic swelling pressure observations made on the same samples using a novel tissue osmometer. The results show that the osmotic modulus significantly depends on the distance from the articular surface. Its value is highest in the deep zone and lowest in the middle zone.