Thin section of the spine in the light microscope (IMAGE)

University of Bonn

Thin section of the spine in the light microscope

Caption

of the oldest marine reptile genus Mesosaurus (290 million years old) from the Permian period. The gap between the two vertebrae at the bottom of the picture contains the remains of the precursor of the intervertebral disc. The bright colors are created by polarized light and show the type of bone tissue and the attachment of the cartilage.

Credit

(c) Tanja Wintrich/Uni Bonn

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