Fig. 2

Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections (original magnification × 200). a Chondrocyte proliferation with multiple chondrocytes growing in sharply demarcated small rounded clusters. b Structural alterations with concentric tears (arrows) following the collagen fiber bundle orientation in the annulus fibrosus. c Granular changes (arrows) with eosinophilic-staining amorphous granules within the fibrocartilage