Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of chondronectin in cartilage matrix?
What type of collagen fibers are present in fibrocartilage and perichondrium?
What is the typical arrangement of chondrocytes in hyaline cartilage?
What is the primary component of the outer region of the perichondrium?
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What is the function of the perichondrium in cartilage growth and maintenance?
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What is the characteristic of the extracellular matrix in hyaline cartilage?
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What is the reason for the formation of groups of chondrocytes in hyaline cartilage?
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What is the characteristic of hyaline cartilage in the fresh state?
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What is the characteristic of cartilage that allows it to provide firm structural support for soft tissues?
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What is the function of chondroblasts in cartilage development?
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What is the main component of the ground substance in cartilage?
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What is the typical diameter of mature chondrocytes?
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What is the primary source of nutrition for cartilage?
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Which type of cartilage is characterized by the presence of elastic fibers?
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What is the function of the Golgi complex in chondrocytes?
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What is the primary component of the proteoglycan molecule in cartilage?
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What is the primary location of cartilage differentiation during embryonic development?
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What is the term for the cartilage cells during the period of rapid proliferation?
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What is the function of the perichondrium in cartilage growth?
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What is the characteristic of the cytoplasm of chondroblasts and chondrocytes?
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What is the significance of interstitial growth in cartilaginous regions within long bones?
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What is the purpose of the ECM in cartilage formation?
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During which stage of cartilage growth is matrix synthesis more important?
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What is true about the arrangement of chondrocytes in the intervertebral disc?
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What is the main difference between elastic cartilage and hyaline cartilage?
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What is the primary function of elastic cartilage in the auditory tubes?
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What type of collagen fibers are present in fibrocartilage?
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Where is fibrocartilage typically found?
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What is the characteristic of the matrix in fibrocartilage?
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What is the primary difference between fibrocartilage and hyaline cartilage?
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What is the function of fibrocartilage in intervertebral discs?
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What is unique about the arrangement of chondrocytes in fibrocartilage?
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What is the term used to describe groups of cartilage cells?
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Where are the cells found to be small and elongated in a direction parallel to the surface?
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What is the term used to describe the deep staining matrix found around lacunae and cell nests?
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In adults, where is hyaline cartilage typically located?
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What is the function of the epiphyseal plate in growing children?
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What happens to hyaline cartilage in old people?
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What type of cartilage does not undergo calcification or ossification?
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What is the function of hyaline cartilage in joints?
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Study Notes
Characteristics of Cartilage
- Cartilage is a special form of connective tissue that develops from the mesenchyme.
- It consists of cells (chondrocytes and chondroblasts) and extracellular matrix.
- Cartilage is nonvascular (avascular) and receives its nutrition via diffusion through the extracellular matrix.
- It exhibits tensile strength, provides firm structural support for soft tissues, allows flexibility without distortion, and is resilient to compression.
Types of Cartilage
- There are three main types of cartilage in the body:
- Hyaline cartilage
- Elastic cartilage
- Fibrocartilage
Cells of Cartilage
- Chondroblasts are embryonic cartilage-producing cells.
- Chondrocytes are mature cells that synthesize and maintain all ECM components.
- Chondrocytes lie in spaces (or lacunae) present in the matrix.
- Chondrocytes synthesize and maintain all ECM components.
- The cytoplasm of chondrocytes may also contain glycogen and lipids.
Ground Substance
- The ground substance of cartilage is made up of complex molecules containing proteins and carbohydrates (proteoglycans).
- The carbohydrates are chemically glycosaminoglycans (GAG) which include:
- Chondroitin sulphate
- Keratin sulphate
- Hyaluronic acid
- The core protein is aggrecan.
- Proteoglycan molecules are tightly bound, along with the water content, these molecules form a firm gel that gives cartilage its firm consistency.
Fibers of Cartilage
- Fibers of cartilage are collagen and elastic fibers according to the type of cartilage.
- The collagen fibers present in cartilage are described as type II collagen.
Perichondrium
- Except in the articular cartilage of joints, all hyaline cartilage is covered by a layer of dense connective tissue, the perichondrium.
- The perichondrium is essential for the growth and maintenance of cartilage.
Hyaline Cartilage
- Hyaline cartilage is the most common of the three types.
- It is homogeneous and semitransparent in the fresh state, and covered by perichondrium except at epiphyses and articular cartilage.
- The extracellular matrix is homogeneous, with type II collagen and aggrecan.
- Major cells are chondrocytes and chondroblasts.
Elastic Cartilage
- Elastic cartilage is essentially similar to hyaline cartilage except that it contains an abundant network of elastic fibers.
- It is more flexible than hyaline cartilage, and readily recovers its shape after being deformed.
- Elastic cartilage is found in the auricle of the ear, the walls of the external auditory canals, the auditory (Eustachian) tubes, and the epiglottis, and the upper respiratory tract.
Fibrocartilage
- Fibrocartilage is essentially a mingling of hyaline cartilage and dense connective tissue.
- It is found in intervertebral discs, in attachments of certain ligaments, and in the pubic symphysis, and serves as very tough, yet cushioning support tissue for bone.
Cartilage Formation, Growth, and Repair
- All cartilage forms from embryonic mesenchyme in the process of chondrogenesis.
- During embryonic development, cartilage differentiation takes place primarily from the center outward.
- Once formed, the cartilage tissue enlarges both by interstitial growth, involving mitotic division of preexisting chondrocytes, and by appositional growth, which involves chondroblast differentiation from progenitor cells in the perichondrium.
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Description
This quiz covers the characteristics, features, and types of cartilage, a type of connective tissue. It also explores growth and regeneration of cartilage.