Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the main function of cartilage in the body?
What is the main function of cartilage in the body?
What is the primary component of cartilage extracellular matrix?
What is the primary component of cartilage extracellular matrix?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of cartilage?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of cartilage?
What surrounds chondrocytes in cartilage tissue?
What surrounds chondrocytes in cartilage tissue?
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How many major forms of cartilage are described in the content?
How many major forms of cartilage are described in the content?
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What is the characteristic of the ECM in hyaline cartilage?
What is the characteristic of the ECM in hyaline cartilage?
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What is the distribution of collagen and proteoglycan in the ECM around the lacunae?
What is the distribution of collagen and proteoglycan in the ECM around the lacunae?
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How do chondrocytes occur in hyaline cartilage?
How do chondrocytes occur in hyaline cartilage?
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Where is perichondrium usually present in hyaline cartilage?
Where is perichondrium usually present in hyaline cartilage?
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What type of collagen is present in the ECM of hyaline cartilage?
What type of collagen is present in the ECM of hyaline cartilage?
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What is the main difference between elastic cartilage and hyaline cartilage?
What is the main difference between elastic cartilage and hyaline cartilage?
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What is the function of elastic cartilage in the body?
What is the function of elastic cartilage in the body?
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Which of the following structures is NOT supported by elastic cartilage?
Which of the following structures is NOT supported by elastic cartilage?
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What is the appearance of elastic cartilage under special stains?
What is the appearance of elastic cartilage under special stains?
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What is the common feature of elastic cartilage in terms of its surrounding tissue?
What is the common feature of elastic cartilage in terms of its surrounding tissue?
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What is the main composition of fibrocartilage?
What is the main composition of fibrocartilage?
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What is the arrangement of type I collagen in fibrocartilage?
What is the arrangement of type I collagen in fibrocartilage?
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What is the function of fibrocartilage in the body?
What is the function of fibrocartilage in the body?
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What type of cells are found in the matrix of fibrocartilage?
What type of cells are found in the matrix of fibrocartilage?
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Where can fibrocartilage be found in the body?
Where can fibrocartilage be found in the body?
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What is the precursor tissue of all types of cartilage?
What is the precursor tissue of all types of cartilage?
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What is the result of the multiplication of cartilage cells?
What is the result of the multiplication of cartilage cells?
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What is the characteristic of the matrix components produced by chondroblasts?
What is the characteristic of the matrix components produced by chondroblasts?
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What is the result of early differentiation of mesenchymal cells?
What is the result of early differentiation of mesenchymal cells?
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What is the characteristic of the cells that make up the condensations in cartilage tissue?
What is the characteristic of the cells that make up the condensations in cartilage tissue?
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Study Notes
Cartilage Characteristics
- Cartilage is a tough, resilient type of connective tissue that provides structural support and cushioned, low-friction surfaces in joints.
- Cartilage is mainly composed of a flexible mass of extracellular matrix (ECM), with cells (chondrocytes) making up a small percentage of the tissue's mass.
Cartilage Structure
- Chondrocytes are embedded within lacunae surrounded by the ECM.
- Cartilage ECM typically includes collagen and abundant proteoglycans, such as aggrecan, which bind a large amount of water.
Cartilage Features
- Cartilage lacks blood vessels, lymphatics, and nerves.
- Cartilage is usually surrounded by a dense connective tissue perichondrium that is vascularized.
Types of Cartilage
- There are three major forms of cartilage: hyaline cartilage, elastic cartilage, and fibrocartilage.
Hyaline Cartilage Structure
- ECM is homogenous and glassy, composed of type II collagen fibrils and aggrecan complexes with bound water.
- Territorial matrix around lacunae has less collagen and more proteoglycan, resulting in slight staining differences.
Chondrocytes
- Occur singly or in small, mitotically derived isogenous groups.
Perichondrium
- Typically present, except in hyaline cartilage of articular surfaces and epiphyses of growing long bones.
Elastic Cartilage
- Similar to hyaline cartilage in terms of chondrocytes and major ECM components
- Matrix contains abundant elastic fibers, visible with special stains
- Elastic fibers increase the tissue's flexibility
- Provides flexible support for:
- External ear
- Certain structures of the middle ear
- Larynx
- Always surrounded by perichondrium
Fibrocartilage
- Composed of varying combinations of hyaline cartilage and dense connective tissue
- Histologically characterized by small chondrocytes in a hyaline matrix
- Features layered structure with larger areas of bundled type I collagen
- Scattered fibroblasts present throughout the tissue
- Provides strong, tough support in specific locations
Functions and Locations
- Found at tendon insertions
- Present in intervertebral discs
- Found in certain other joints
Embryonic Mesenchyme and Cartilage Development
- Embryonic mesenchyme is the precursor tissue of all types of cartilage.
- Mitotic proliferation of mesenchymal cells leads to early differentiation, resulting in a tissue with condensations of rounded cells called chondroblasts.
- Chondroblasts produce various matrix components, which collectively swell with water and form a large amount of extracellular matrix (ECM).
- The matrix components secreted by chondroblasts separate them from one another.
- The multiplication of cartilage cells gives rise to isogenous aggregates.
- Each isogenous aggregate is surrounded by a condensation of territorial matrix.
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Description
Learn about the structure and function of cartilage, a type of connective tissue that supports soft tissues and provides cushioned surfaces in joints.
