Histology: Types of Cartilage and Connective Tissue

Cartilage

• Cartilage is a type of connective tissue.
• The matrix of cartilage is gel-like and firm, but pliable.
• Cartilage is nourished by diffusion, as it lacks a direct blood supply.
• The components of cartilage are chondrocytes, collagen fibers, and the matrix.
• Hyaline cartilage is most commonly found in the respiratory tract, joints, and embryonic skeleton.
• Hyaline cartilage contains type II collagen fibers.
• The perichondrium, a layer of connective tissue, surrounds cartilage and functions in nutrition and muscle attachment.
• Chondroblasts are located in the perichondrium.
• Chondrocytes in hyaline cartilage are responsible for maintaining the cartilage matrix.
• Elastic cartilage is rich in elastic fibers.
• Hyaline cartilage is commonly found in the articular surfaces of joints.
• The perichondrium component of cartilage surrounds the cartilage except at the articular surface of joints.
• Chondroblasts are responsible for the formation of cartilage matrix and collagen, as well as the growth of cartilage from outside.
• Hyaline cartilage contains type II collagen fibers.
• Chondrocytes in cartilage are responsible for maintaining the cartilage matrix.
• The perichondrium functions in nutrition and muscle attachment.
• Chondrocytes originate from mesenchymal cells.

Lipids

• Fatty acids with more than one double bond are called polyunsaturated fatty acids.
• The main storage form of fatty acids in the body is triacylglycerols (TAG).
• Cholesterol is an example of a steroid.
• Linoleic acid is the precursor of ω-6 arachidonic acid.
• Phospholipids are common constituents of cellular membranes.
• Essential fatty acid deficiency results in impaired growth and skin lesions.
• Sphingomyelins in nerve cells function as structural components.
• Glycerophospholipids are distinguished from triacylglycerols (TAG) by the presence of a phosphate group.
• Essential fatty acids are dietary essential in humans because they cannot be synthesized by the body.
• The main classification of lipids is into fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids.
• Fatty acids have a general structure of a hydrocarbon chain with a terminal carboxyl group (COOH) and one (CH3) group in the other terminus.
• Fatty acids are classified based on their saturation as saturated, monounsaturated, or polyunsaturated.
• Fatty acids have an amphipathic nature, with a hydrophobic tail and a hydrophilic head.
• Fatty acids are named using Greek numbering, with the omega (ω) notation indicating the position of the first double bond.
• Fatty acids contain a hydrophobic hydrocarbon chain with a terminal carboxyl group (COOH) and one (CH3) group in the other terminus.
• Complex lipids include phospholipids, glycolipids, and lipoproteins.
• Fatty acid carbons are named using numbers, with the delta (Δ) notation indicating the position of the double bond.

This quiz covers the histological structure of different types of cartilage (hyaline, yellow elastic, and white fibrocartilage), differentiation between the three types, and the sites for each type. It also includes information on the types of tissues in the body and components of connective tissue.