Cartilage Overview and Types

The process of cartilage formation, starting with mesenchymal cells aggregating into a rounded cell mass called a chondrogenic nodule. SOX-9, a crucial transcription factor, triggers differentiation into chondroblasts which produce cartilage matrix.

These cells produce type II collagen and are found close to other chondrocytes.

A specialized connective tissue found in areas requiring high tensile strength, like intervertebral discs and menisci.

These cells produce type I collagen and are located between groups of chondrocytes in fibrocartilage.

Mesenchymal cells that have the potential to differentiate into chondroblasts, which produce the cartilage matrix.

The area of the extracellular matrix immediately surrounding a chondrocyte, characterized by dense staining and high concentrations of proteoglycans, hyaluronan, and multiadhesive glycoproteins.

The region of ECM that is further away from the chondrocytes and is less densely stained than the capsular matrix.

A region of ECM that is closer to the chondrocytes but further away from the capsular matrix, characterized by moderate staining intensity.

Type VI collagen fibrils found in the capsular matrix, responsible for anchoring the chondrocyte to the surrounding matrix.

The process of staining tissues with dyes to visualize and differentiate different components. In the context of ECM, variable stain intensity reflects the distribution and concentration of sulfated proteoglycans.

Process of cartilage formation that results in the formation of new cartilage tissue on the surface of an existing cartilage.

Process of cartilage formation that occurs within an existing cartilage mass.

A special type of cell that is responsible for producing the extracellular matrix of cartilage tissue.

A group of cells that originated from a single parent cell during cell division.

A dense layer of connective tissue that surrounds cartilage.

A special type of connective tissue composed of cells, fibers, and ground substance.

A structure that forms during chondrogenesis from mesenchymal progenitor cells.

A specialized connective tissue that combines rigidity, elasticity, and resilience.

The supporting material surrounding chondrocytes in cartilage, composed of fibers and ground substance.

Growth from within the cartilage, where chondrocytes divide and produce new matrix.

Growth from the surface of the cartilage, where new chondrocytes are added from the perichondrium.

The process of calcification within the cartilage matrix, leading to hardening.

Clusters of chondrocytes that arise from cell division, containing newly divided cells.

A process where chondrocytes secrete matrix material, causing them to become dispersed from each other.

Chondrocytes actively involved in matrix production have a basophilic cytoplasm due to high levels of protein synthesis.

Older, less active chondrocytes store glycogen and lipid droplets in their cytoplasm, appearing as clear areas within the cell.

The space within the cartilage matrix that encloses a chondrocyte.

A layer of dense irregular connective tissue that surrounds hyaline and elastic cartilage.

Provides nutrients and removes waste products for the cartilage.

The inner layer of perichondrium that produces new cartilage cells (chondroblasts).

Hyaline cartilage that covers articular surfaces of synovial joints.

Articular cartilage does not have perichondrium.

A degenerative disease of articular cartilage that leads to breakdown of proteoglycan and collagen, loss of cartilage, and bone-on-bone contact.

Elastic cartilage contains a dense network of branching and anastomosing elastic fibers and sheets of elastic material.

A combination of dense regular connective tissue and hyaline cartilage.

The chondrocytes are dispersed among collagen fibers in fibrocartilage.

The pinna of the ear, the lateral one third of the external auditory meatus, the eustachian tube, and the epiglottis.