Summary Semester 3 anatomy

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