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Questions and Answers
What type of tissue is cartilage classified as?
What type of tissue is cartilage classified as?
- Connective tissue (correct)
- Nervous tissue
- Muscle tissue
- Epithelial tissue
Which of the following types of cartilage does not have a perichondrium?
Which of the following types of cartilage does not have a perichondrium?
- Hyaline cartilage
- All types of cartilage have a perichondrium
- Elastic cartilage
- Fibrocartilage (correct)
What is the primary function of cartilage in the joints?
What is the primary function of cartilage in the joints?
- To facilitate smooth movement of bones (correct)
- To provide nutrients to the bones
- To store fat and energy
- To produce synovial fluid
How do chondrocytes receive nutrients?
How do chondrocytes receive nutrients?
What major component is found in the extracellular matrix of cartilage?
What major component is found in the extracellular matrix of cartilage?
Which of the following statements is true regarding the perichondrium?
Which of the following statements is true regarding the perichondrium?
Where can hyaline cartilage be typically found in the body?
Where can hyaline cartilage be typically found in the body?
What role does cartilage play in the development of long bones?
What role does cartilage play in the development of long bones?
What substance primarily contributes to the semi-rigid consistency of cartilage?
What substance primarily contributes to the semi-rigid consistency of cartilage?
Which type of matrix contains abundant proteoglycans and less collagen surrounding chondrocytes?
Which type of matrix contains abundant proteoglycans and less collagen surrounding chondrocytes?
Aggrecan is primarily composed of which type of side chains?
Aggrecan is primarily composed of which type of side chains?
What is the primary function of chondronectin in cartilage matrix?
What is the primary function of chondronectin in cartilage matrix?
Which of the following is NOT a component of the cartilage matrix?
Which of the following is NOT a component of the cartilage matrix?
The structure that binds non-covalently to hundreds of proteoglycans in cartilage is known as what?
The structure that binds non-covalently to hundreds of proteoglycans in cartilage is known as what?
Which type of fibers are predominantly found in the cartilage matrix?
Which type of fibers are predominantly found in the cartilage matrix?
What is the role of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the cartilage matrix?
What is the role of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) in the cartilage matrix?
What distinguishes elastic cartilage from hyaline cartilage?
What distinguishes elastic cartilage from hyaline cartilage?
Which staining method is used to demonstrate the elastic fibers in elastic cartilage?
Which staining method is used to demonstrate the elastic fibers in elastic cartilage?
In which of the following locations would you typically find elastic cartilage?
In which of the following locations would you typically find elastic cartilage?
What characterizes the structure of fibrocartilage?
What characterizes the structure of fibrocartilage?
Which component is NOT a characteristic of elastic cartilage?
Which component is NOT a characteristic of elastic cartilage?
What role do the type I collagen fibers play in fibrocartilage?
What role do the type I collagen fibers play in fibrocartilage?
Which tissue type lacks a distinct surrounding perichondrium?
Which tissue type lacks a distinct surrounding perichondrium?
What functional characteristic is attributed to both elastic cartilage and hyaline cartilage?
What functional characteristic is attributed to both elastic cartilage and hyaline cartilage?
What is the function of the outer fibrous layer of the perichondrium?
What is the function of the outer fibrous layer of the perichondrium?
Which cell type is derived from chondrogenic cells and actively synthesizes cartilage matrix?
Which cell type is derived from chondrogenic cells and actively synthesizes cartilage matrix?
What characterizes chondrocytes within the cartilage matrix?
What characterizes chondrocytes within the cartilage matrix?
In which cellular arrangement do chondrocytes often appear due to mitotic divisions?
In which cellular arrangement do chondrocytes often appear due to mitotic divisions?
What structural feature is observed in chondrocytes during routine histological preparation?
What structural feature is observed in chondrocytes during routine histological preparation?
What types of fibers are primarily contained in the outer layer of the perichondrium?
What types of fibers are primarily contained in the outer layer of the perichondrium?
What type of cellular structures do chondrocytes typically exhibit in their cytoplasm?
What type of cellular structures do chondrocytes typically exhibit in their cytoplasm?
Where are chondrogenic cells primarily located within the perichondrium?
Where are chondrogenic cells primarily located within the perichondrium?
What are the main characteristics of chondrocytes in fibrocartilage?
What are the main characteristics of chondrocytes in fibrocartilage?
What distinguishes fibrocartilage from other types of cartilage?
What distinguishes fibrocartilage from other types of cartilage?
What initiates appositional growth of cartilage?
What initiates appositional growth of cartilage?
Which process describes the growth that occurs within an existing cartilage mass?
Which process describes the growth that occurs within an existing cartilage mass?
How does the lack of perichondrium in fibrocartilage affect its growth?
How does the lack of perichondrium in fibrocartilage affect its growth?
What type of collagen is predominantly produced by chondrocytes in fibrocartilage?
What type of collagen is predominantly produced by chondrocytes in fibrocartilage?
What is the role of fibroblasts in the structure of fibrocartilage?
What is the role of fibroblasts in the structure of fibrocartilage?
What is the mechanism of cartilage formation from mesenchyme called?
What is the mechanism of cartilage formation from mesenchyme called?
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Study Notes
General Features of Cartilage
- Cartilage is a specialized connective tissue providing support and weight-bearing capabilities.
- It is avascular; nutrients diffuse from surrounding perichondrium.
- Composed of chondrocytes within an extracellular matrix enriched with glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans.
- ECM consists of type II collagen fibrils and occasionally elastic fibers, allowing resistance to mechanical stress.
- Chondrocytes reside in lacunae within the matrix.
Functions of Cartilage
- Supports soft tissues, e.g., in the respiratory tract (nose, larynx, trachea).
- Facilitates smooth movement of bones at joints.
- Mediates growth and development of long bones before and after birth.
Perichondrium
- Definition: A dense irregular connective tissue sheath surrounding cartilage, except in articular and fibrocartilage.
- Contains blood supply for cartilage nutrition and neural elements.
- Has two layers:
- Outer fibrous layer with collagen type I fibers, fibroblasts, and blood vessels.
- Inner cellular layer with chondrogenic cells that can differentiate into chondroblasts for cartilage growth and maintenance.
Cartilage Cells
- Chondrogenic Cells: Located in the inner layer of perichondrium, they differentiate into chondroblasts.
- Chondroblasts: Young chondrocytes that secrete cartilage matrix, exhibiting basophilic cytoplasm due to abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER).
- Chondrocytes: Mature cells located in lacunae, capable of division and often organized in isogenous groups from mitotic divisions.
Cartilage Matrix
- Composed of fibers (mainly type II collagen, some type I or elastic) and ground substances (GAGs, proteoglycans).
- The structure allows cartilage to withstand compression and return to original shape due to bound water.
- Aggrecan: Predominant proteoglycan in hyaline cartilage, linked to hyaluronic acid, imparting resilience.
- Territorial Matrix: Surrounds chondrocytes, rich in proteoglycans and less collagen, appearing basophilic in staining.
- Interterritorial Matrix: Fills the remaining space, surrounding the territorial matrix.
Types of Cartilage
- Elastic Cartilage: Contains elastic fibers alongside type II collagen, providing both stiffness and elasticity. Found in the ear, epiglottis, and Eustachian tube.
- Fibrocartilage: A blend of dense connective tissue and hyaline cartilage, containing dispersed chondrocytes and aligned collagen bundles. Found in the pubic symphysis and intervertebral discs. Lacks a surrounding perichondrium, conferring tensile strength.
Cartilage Development and Growth
- Cartilage arises from mesenchyme through chondrogenesis, where mesenchymal cells differentiate into chondroblasts.
- Appositional Growth: New cartilage forms at the surface from chondrogenic cells in the perichondrium; most cartilage growth occurs this way.
- Interstitial Growth: Increases cartilage mass from within via chondrocyte division; prevalent in fibrocartilage and epiphyseal plates of long bones.
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