Questions and Answers
What is the shape of mature chondrocytes when they are single?
What is the function of chondrocytes in cartilage?
What is the characteristic of cartilage matrix?
What is the main component of the cartilage matrix?
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What is the name of the protein found in the cartilage matrix?
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What is the main difference between hyaline cartilage and elastic cartilage?
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What is the site of elastic cartilage?
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What is the name of the cells found in cartilage?
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What is the characteristic appearance of hyaline cartilage in its fresh state?
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What is the function of the perichondrium in cartilage?
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What is the composition of the outer layer of the perichondrium?
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What is the site where hyaline cartilage is absent?
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What is the function of the inner chondrogenic layer of the perichondrium?
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What is the characteristic of young chondrocytes?
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What is the consistency of hyaline cartilage?
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How many types of cartilage are there?
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What is the characteristic of the matrix in elastic cartilage?
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What is the difference between elastic cartilage and hyaline cartilage in terms of staining?
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What is the characteristic of the arrangement of chondrocytes in elastic cartilage?
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What is the characteristic of the collagen fibers in elastic cartilage?
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What is the difference between elastic cartilage and hyaline cartilage in terms of perichondrium?
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What is the name of the cells that make up cartilage?
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What is the characteristic of the consistency of white fibrocartilage?
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Which of the following is NOT a site where white fibrocartilage is found?
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What is the color of white fibrocartilage in its fresh state?
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Which type of cartilage is characterized by the presence of perichondrium?
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What is unique about the arrangement of chondrocytes in white fibrocartilage?
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Which of the following is a site where hyaline cartilage is found?
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What is the characteristic of the matrix of white fibrocartilage?
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Which of the following is a site where yellow elastic fibrocartilage is found?
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Study Notes
Cartilage
- Cartilage is a type of connective tissue with a firm consistency of the extracellular matrix.
- There are three types of cartilage: hyaline cartilage, yellow elastic fibrocartilage, and white fibrocartilage.
Hyaline Cartilage
- Appearance: translucent pale blue in fresh state
- Consistency: firm or rigid with some degree of flexibility
- Structure:
- Formed of perichondrium, cartilage cells (chondrocytes), and cartilage matrix
- Sites:
- Constitutes the majority of the foetal skeleton
- Articular surface of bones
- Costal cartilage in the thoracic cage
- Nose, trachea, and bronchi
Perichondrium
- A vascular connective tissue membrane that surrounds the cartilage except at the articular surfaces of the joints
- Formed of two layers: outer fibrous layer and inner chondrogenic layer
- Function:
- Acts as a source of O2 and nutrients to the cartilage cells
- The inner chondrogenic layer is responsible for new cartilage formation
Cartilage Cells (Chondrocytes)
- There are two types of chondrocytes: young chondrocytes and mature "old" chondrocytes
- Young chondrocytes:
- Arise from the inner chondrogenic layer
- Flat cells with open-face nuclei and pale basophilic cytoplasm
- Present singly in their lacunae at the periphery of the cartilage and parallel to the perichondrium
- Mature "old" chondrocytes:
- Site: deep in the cartilage in the form of rows perpendicular to the perichondrium
- Shape: oval or rounded when single, and triangular or semicircular when in groups
- Have rounded and open-face nuclei and granular, basophilic cytoplasm rich in glycogen, fat, and phosphatase enzyme
- Function:
- Synthesize and secrete the components of the cartilage matrix
- Can divide, responsible for the growth of the cartilage
Cartilage Matrix
- General characters:
- Rubbery in consistency
- Non-vascular
- Staining reaction:
- Appears homogenous basophilic by Hx and E due to the presence of sulphated glycosaminoglycans
- Shows strong PAS positivity
- Components:
- Collagen fibers (Type II)
- Proteoglycans (chondritin 4 sulphate and 6 sulphate)
- Glycoprotein (chondronectin)
- Protein (chondrocalcin)
Yellow Elastic Fibrocartilage
- Appearance: yellow in color due to the presence of elastic fibers
- Consistency: elastic and flexible due to the presence of elastic fibers
- Structure:
- The matrix contains an abundant network of elastic fibers
- Can be stained by standard elastic stains (e.g. Verhoeff's stains)
- Sites:
- Auricle of the ear
- External auditory meatus
- Eustachian tube
- Epiglottis
White Fibrocartilage
- Appearance: white in fresh state
- Consistency: tense and resists stretch due to the presence of collagen fibers
- Structure:
- Differs from hyaline cartilage in:
- Not covered by perichondrium but surrounded by dense C.T. rich in blood vessels
- Chondrocytes are arranged in rows or columns
- Matrix contains bundles of coarse type I collagen fibers in between rows of chondrocytes
- Differs from hyaline cartilage in:
- Sites:
- Intervertebral discs
- Semilunar cartilage of knee joints
- Symphysis pubis
- Lips of glenoid cavity
- Terminal parts of tendons
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Description
Explore the different types of cartilage, including hyaline cartilage, and their structures and properties. Learn about the characteristics and sites of these connective tissues.
