Cartilage Biology
25 Questions
7 Views

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the main function of cartilage in the body?

  • To facilitate the transportation of oxygen throughout the body
  • To regulate body temperature
  • To produce hormones that regulate growth and development
  • To provide cushioned, low-friction surfaces in joints (correct)

    • What is the primary component of cartilage extracellular matrix?

  • Chondrocytes
  • Water
  • Proteoglycans
  • Collagen (correct)

    • Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of cartilage?

  • Presence of lymphatics (correct)
  • Lack of nerves
  • High flexibility
  • Lack of blood vessels

    • What surrounds chondrocytes in cartilage tissue?

    <p>Lacunae</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many major forms of cartilage are described in the content?

    <p>3</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic of the ECM in hyaline cartilage?

    <p>Homogenous and glassy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the distribution of collagen and proteoglycan in the ECM around the lacunae?

    <p>Less collagen and more proteoglycan</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do chondrocytes occur in hyaline cartilage?

    <p>Singly or in small, mitotically derived isogenous groups</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where is perichondrium usually present in hyaline cartilage?

    <p>Except at the articular surfaces or the epiphyses of growing long bones</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of collagen is present in the ECM of hyaline cartilage?

    <p>Type II</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main difference between elastic cartilage and hyaline cartilage?

    <p>The presence of elastic fibers in the matrix</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of elastic cartilage in the body?

    <p>To provide flexible support for certain structures</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following structures is NOT supported by elastic cartilage?

    <p>Knee joint</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the appearance of elastic cartilage under special stains?

    <p>Abundant elastic fibers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the common feature of elastic cartilage in terms of its surrounding tissue?

    <p>It is always surrounded by perichondrium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main composition of fibrocartilage?

    <p>Mainly dense connective tissue with a small amount of hyaline cartilage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the arrangement of type I collagen in fibrocartilage?

    <p>Layered in large bundles</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of fibrocartilage in the body?

    <p>To provide very tough, strong support to joints and tendon insertions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of cells are found in the matrix of fibrocartilage?

    <p>Chondrocytes and fibroblasts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where can fibrocartilage be found in the body?

    <p>In both intervertebral discs and tendon insertions, as well as certain joints</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the precursor tissue of all types of cartilage?

    <p>Embryonic mesenchyme</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of the multiplication of cartilage cells?

    <p>Isogenous aggregates surrounded by territorial matrix</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic of the matrix components produced by chondroblasts?

    <p>They are rich in water</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of early differentiation of mesenchymal cells?

    <p>The formation of chondroblasts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the characteristic of the cells that make up the condensations in cartilage tissue?

    <p>They are chondroblasts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    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.

    Studying That Suits You

    Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

    Quiz Team

    Description

    Learn about the structure and function of cartilage, a type of connective tissue that supports soft tissues and provides cushioned surfaces in joints.

    More Like This

    Use Quizgecko on...
    Browser
    Open
    Browser
    Browser