Cartilage Types and Function PDF

Human skeleton with articular cartilage shown in blue Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue found in multiple areas of the body, including joints, the ear and nose, and intervertebral discs. Hyaline cartilage, the most abundant type of cartilage, plays a supportive role and assists in movement....

Human skeleton with articular cartilage shown in blue Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue found in multiple areas of the body, including joints, the ear and nose, and intervertebral discs. Hyaline cartilage, the most abundant type of cartilage, plays a supportive role and assists in movement. Formed by the process of chondrogenesis, the resulting chondrocytes are capable of producing large amounts of collagenous extracellular matrix and ground substance, which together form cartilage itself. Cartilage is a robust and viscoelastic connective tissue that can be found in joints between bones, the rib cage, intervertebral discs, the ear, and the nose. While more rigid and less flexible than muscle, cartilage is not as stiff as bone. These properties allow cartilage to serve as a support structure for holding tubes open or for proper locomotion. Examples of tubes include the cricoid cartilage and carina of the trachea, the torus tubarius at the opening of the auditory tube, and the auricle/pinna of the ear. Cartilage is an important structural component of the body. It is a firm tissue but is softer and much more flexible than bone. Cartilage is a connective tissue found in many areas of the body including: · Joints between bones e.g. the elbows, knees and ankles · Ends of the ribs · Between the vertebrae in the spine · Ears and nose · Bronchial tubes or airways Cartilage is made up of specialized cells called chondrocytes. These chondrocytes produce large amounts of extracellular matrix composed of collagen fibres, proteoglycan, and elastin fibers. Instead, nutrients diffuse through a dense connective tissue surrounding the cartilage (called the perichondrium) and into the core of the cartilage. Due to the lack of blood vessels, cartilage grows and repairs more slowly than other tissues. elastic (A), hyaline (B), and fibrous (C). =In elastic cartilage, the cells are closer together creating less intercellular space. Elastic cartilage is found in the external ear flaps and in parts of the larynx. =Hyaline cartilage has fewer cells than elastic cartilage; there is more intercellular space. Hyaline cartilage is found in the nose, ears, trachea, parts of the larynx, and smaller respiratory tubes. =Fibrous cartilage has the fewest cells so it has the most intercellular space. Fibrous cartilage is found in the spine and the menisci. Function of cartilage Cartilage is a strong, flexible connective tissue that protects your joints and bones. It acts as a shock absorber throughout your body. Cartilage at the end of your bones reduces friction and prevents them from rubbing together when you use your joints. Characters of cartilage Cartilage is a non-vascular type of supporting connective tissue that is found throughout the body. Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue that differs from bone in several ways; it is avascular and its microarchitecture is less organized than bone Where the cartilage Cartilage is the main type of connective tissue seen throughout the body. It serves a variety of structural and functional purposes and exists in different types throughout our joints, bones, spine, lungs, ears and nose. How the cartilage is made Chondrification (also known as chondrogenesis) is the process by which cartilage is formed from condensed mesenchyme tissue, which differentiates into chondroblasts and begins secreting the molecules (aggrecan and collagen type II) that form the extracellular matrix. What is an example of catilage The discs between the vertebrae contain fibro cartilage. The larynx, nose, and ribs all contain hyaline cartilage. The ear contains elastic cartilage What common conditions affect my cartilage? The most common issues that affect your cartilage include: · Injuries: 1-Sports injuries or other traumas can damage or tear cartilage. Some of the most common sports injuries like a torn meniscus or a separated shoulder can damage the cartilage in your joints. Injuring a joint can cause osteochondritis dissecans (sometimes called osteochondral lesions). · 2-Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. In fact, 80% of adults older than 55 have some amount of it. As you age, the cartilage in your joints can break down. Eventually, this can lead to pain and inflammation in your joint because there’s not as much cushioning and lubrication as there used to be. · 3-Herniated disks: Herniated disks — also sometimes referred to as slipped, ruptured or bulging disks — happen when the disk of cartilage between your vertebrae (the bones that make up your spine) is torn or punctured. General healthy habits will help your cartilage (and the structures it supports) work like it should, including: · Exercising regularly. · Maintaining a healthy weight. · Not smoking or using tobacco products. If you’re recovering from an injury, follow your provider’s or surgeon’s instructions to help your body heal. You might need to avoid using the injured part of your body for a few weeks (or longer). Cartilage is composed of specialized cells called chondrocytes that produce a large amount of collagenous extracellular matrix, abundant ground substance that is rich in proteoglycan and elastin fibers. Cartilage is classified in three types, elastic cartilage, hyaline cartilage and fibrocartilage, which differ in relative amounts of collagen and proteoglycan Cartilage does not contain blood vessels or nerves, hence it is insensitive. Some fibrocartilage such as the meniscus of the knee does however have blood supply in part. Nutrition is supplied to the chondrocytes by diffusion. The compression of the articular cartilage or flexion of the elastic cartilage generates fluid flow, which assists the diffusion of nutrients to the chondrocytes. Compared to other connective tissues, cartilage has a very slow turnover of its extracellular matrix and is documented to repair at only a very slow rate relative to other tissues.