Cartilage
Specialised form of connective tissue
o ECM with fibres in x cells
Firm, but flexible, semi-rigid, bears mechanical stress without permanent distortion
o i.e. bounces back
Functions
o Framework of resp tract
o Shock absorption and facilitation of joint movement
o Covers articular surfaces
o Development of long bones
Consists of cartilage cells suspended in ECM
o Chondrogenic cells – stem cells
o Chondroblasts – immature cells
o Chondrocytes – mature cells
Most cartilage surrounded by perichondrium
Cartilage is avascular
Three types
o Hyaline
o Elastic
o Fibrous
Two types of growth
o Appositional – occurs just under perichondrium
Chondrogenic cells -> chondroblasts -> chondrocytes
Chondroblasts produce ECM
Chondrocytes maintain matrix
o Interstitial – within in actual tissue of cartilage
Areas where there is no perichondrium
Occurs by mitosis of chondrocytes
Hyaline
o Most common form in body
o Found in
Articulating surfaces
Resp tract e.g. septum, larynx etc.
Costal cartilages
Epiphyseal plates of long bones
o Functions
Structural support for resp tract
Smooth surface of joints for free movement
Development and growth of long bones
o ECM appears smooth and glassy
Fibres and ground substance are of similar refractive indices
o Contains type II collagen fibres
o Chondrocytes located in lacunae
o Possess a perichondrium except over articular surfaces
o Interstitial growth occurs in clusters of chondrocytes known as isogenous groups
o Matrix around chondrocytes = darker, territorial
Specialised form of connective tissue
o ECM with fibres in x cells
Firm, but flexible, semi-rigid, bears mechanical stress without permanent distortion
o i.e. bounces back
Functions
o Framework of resp tract
o Shock absorption and facilitation of joint movement
o Covers articular surfaces
o Development of long bones
Consists of cartilage cells suspended in ECM
o Chondrogenic cells – stem cells
o Chondroblasts – immature cells
o Chondrocytes – mature cells
Most cartilage surrounded by perichondrium
Cartilage is avascular
Three types
o Hyaline
o Elastic
o Fibrous
Two types of growth
o Appositional – occurs just under perichondrium
Chondrogenic cells -> chondroblasts -> chondrocytes
Chondroblasts produce ECM
Chondrocytes maintain matrix
o Interstitial – within in actual tissue of cartilage
Areas where there is no perichondrium
Occurs by mitosis of chondrocytes
Hyaline
o Most common form in body
o Found in
Articulating surfaces
Resp tract e.g. septum, larynx etc.
Costal cartilages
Epiphyseal plates of long bones
o Functions
Structural support for resp tract
Smooth surface of joints for free movement
Development and growth of long bones
o ECM appears smooth and glassy
Fibres and ground substance are of similar refractive indices
o Contains type II collagen fibres
o Chondrocytes located in lacunae
o Possess a perichondrium except over articular surfaces
o Interstitial growth occurs in clusters of chondrocytes known as isogenous groups
o Matrix around chondrocytes = darker, territorial
