Cartilage Types

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of cartilage found in the human body?

Osseous cartilage (correct)

Fibrocartilage

Elastic cartilage

Hyaline cartilage

What is the primary function of cartilage in the embryo?

Regulates body temperature

Provides structural support (correct)

Facilitates muscle movement

Protects internal organs

What process replaces cartilage with bone?

Hematopoiesis

Osteogenesis (correct)

Myogenesis

Chondrogenesis

Which of these is NOT a location where cartilage is found in the human body?

Liver (D) Signup and view all the answers

How does the increased cartilage to bone ratio in newborns aid in childbirth?

It makes the baby's skeleton more flexible for easier passage through the birth canal (A) Signup and view all the answers

What makes hyaline cartilage appear translucent and bluish-white?

The absence of blood vessels (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the origin of all connective tissues in the human body?

Mesoderm (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why does a newborn have a higher number of bones compared to an adult?

Newborns have more cartilage, which later ossifies into bone. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of cartilage is primarily characterized by the presence of type II collagen fibers and found in locations like the ribs and joints?

Hyaline cartilage (C) Signup and view all the answers

In which type of cartilage does the presence of collagen fibers primarily lead to a white appearance and high durability?

Fibrocartilage (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the growth process in cartilage where chondrocytes proliferate and add more matrix inside existing cartilage?

Interstitial growth (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures is primarily made up of elastic cartilage to provide flexibility?

External ear (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the perichondrium in cartilage?

Surrounding cartilage and allowing growth (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which type of collagen fibers does fibrocartilage primarily consist of?

Type II and Type I (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary structural component produced by chondroblasts in cartilage?

Extracellular matrix (ECM) (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these cartilage types lacks a perichondrium?

Fibrocartilage (A) Signup and view all the answers

What characteristics make cartilage flexible and supportive in structures like the ear and nose?

Presence of collagen, proteoglycans, and non-collagenous proteins (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which role does cartilage play in the airways?

Providing structural integrity through rings (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of bone's extracellular matrix?

Providing a rigid structure through mineral deposits (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which embryonic source contributes specifically to the appendicular skeleton?

Lateral plate mesoderm (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key component of the ossification process?

Formation of hyaline cartilage as a precursor (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the characteristics of bone tissue?

Contains a high concentration of calcium and phosphate minerals (A) Signup and view all the answers

What can be inferred about the maturity of bone tissue?

It is influenced by its histological structure and mode of ossification. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How does cartilage contribute to joint function?

By acting as a shock absorber during movement (A) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Types of Cartilage

Hyaline cartilage is the embryonic form of cartilage, found in the ribs, joints, nose, larynx, and trachea.
Fibrocartilage is a very strong and pliable connective tissue, found where tendons and ligaments meet bone, and in the menisci, sternoclavicular joint, and annulus fibrosus.
Elastic cartilage is primarily found in the external ear, Eustachian tube, and epiglottis, and offers flexibility and resilience due to a mixture of elastic fibers.

Growth Pattern of Cartilage

Cartilage grows in two ways: interstitial growth, where chondrocytes proliferate and divide, producing more matrix inside existing cartilage, and appositional growth, where fresh layers of matrix are added to existing matrix surface by chondroblasts in the perichondrium.

Perichondrium

The perichondrium is a dense layer of connective tissue that surrounds most cartilage sites.
Its outer layer contains collagen-producing fibroblasts, while the inner layer houses large numbers of differentiated fibroblasts called chondroblasts.

Chondroblasts

Chondroblasts produce the elements of the extracellular matrix (ECM).
Chondroblasts can be seen in the larger ears and noses of older individuals.

Contents of the Extracellular Matrix

The ECM of cartilage contains three characteristic elements: collagen, proteoglycans, and non-collagenous proteins.

Functions of Cartilage

Cartilage is a supple tissue that allows for facial movement and provides a lightweight supportive structure in the external ear and the tip and septum of the nose.
Cartilage acts as a shock absorber, cushioning areas where bone meets bone and preventing abrasion and damage.
A joint would not be able to bend without the flexibility of cartilage.
Cartilage also plays a role in bone repair, where it provides a template for ossification.

Bone

Bone is a modified form of connective tissue that is made of extracellular matrix, cells, and fibers.
The high concentration of calcium and phosphate-based minerals throughout the connective tissue is responsible for its hard, calcified nature.

Embryology

The neurocranium and viscerocranium originate from derivatives of the neural crest cells and paraxial mesoderm.
The paraxial mesoderm also contributes to the formation of the axial skeleton, while the appendicular skeleton originates from the lateral plate mesoderm.

Introduction

Cartilage is a semi-rigid but flexible avascular connective tissue found at various sites within the body.
Cartilage function is more than structural and has different functions in the life cycle.
In the embryo, cartilage provides support and is a precursor to bone.
Embryonic cartilage either remains as cartilage or provides a substructure for endochondral ossification, meaning it also functions as a template for the rapid growth and development of the musculoskeletal system.

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Description

Learn about the different types of cartilage, including hyaline cartilage and fibrous cartilage, and their characteristics in the human body.