1 Bone and Cartilage - Structure and Function Flashcards
Describe Cartilage
Cartilage is specialised connective tissue
- with a support function (often shock absorbers of the body, can be tough or flexible depending on the composition)
What are the cells that makeup Cartilage
Chondrocytes
What is the matrix made of in Cartilage?
- Type II collagen
- Proteoglycans
and others (depending on the type of cartilage)
Describe Cartilage cells
Chondrocytes
- are derived from Embryonic Mesoderm (spindle) - clusters of chondroblasts (rounded), surrounded by a layer of perichondrium (mesenchyme derived fibroblastic cells and collagen)
Growth of cartilage is by:
- interstitial growth (a limited division of chondroblasts in ECM) AND
- Appositional growth (new chondroblasts from perichondrium)
After matrix deposition, cells become less active and become maintaining cells (lacuna is an artefact)
Describe the ECM of cartilage (Fibres and Ground substance)
Made of Type II Collagen and ground substance
- Matrix is 70% water
Has Proteoglycan aggregates
- which contain glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)
Describe the proteoglycans found in the ECM of cartilage
Proteoglycan aggregates
- proteoglycan monomers that are attached to a molecule of Hyaluronin - it is hydrophilic (brings in water)
This provides compressive strength
- as a flexible cushioned surface
Describe the glycosaminoglycans that are found in the proteoglycan in ECM
Proteoglycans contain numerous GAGs
- attached to a core protein (bottle-brush structure - negatively charged chains)
GAG - appear in different forms
- chondroitin-4-sulfate
- chondroitin-6-sulfate
- Keratan sulfate
It is woven with collagen to form an elastic and compressible structure
Describe the different types of Cartilage
It is dependent on the requirements of tissue:
- Hyaline cartilage: Type II collagen only - smooth glistening (glassy) articular surface
- Elastic cartilage: type II collagen + elastin (ear, nose, epiglottis)
- Fibrocartilage: Type I and II collagen (strong, where bones join); e.g. manubrioclavicular joint
Describe the cellular structure of Hyaline cartilage
arrangement of cells, perichondrium, and location
Hyaline
- Chondrocytes are arranged in groups in a matrix
- with Type II collagen
Perichondrium
- Usually present, except at Articular surfaces
Locations
- Articular ends of long bones, ventral rib cartilage, tracheal rings
Describe the cellular structure of Elastic Cartilage
arrangement of cells, perichondrium, and location
Elastic
- chondrocytes compacted in the matrix
- containing Type II collagen and elastic fibres
Perichondrium
- present
Locations
- Pinna of ear, auditory canal, laryngeal cartilages, epiglottis
Describe the cellular structure of Fibrocartilage
arrangement of cells, perichondrium, and location
Fibrocartilage
- chondrocytes arranged in rows in a matrix
- containing Type I collagen bundles in rows
Perichondrium
- absent
Locations
- IV discs, pubic symphysis, joint capsules, ligaments and tendons
Describe hyaline cartilages at joints
- Resists compression due to elasticity and stiffness of proteoglycans
- Tensile strength due to collagen and hydrogel ground substance
- Most are avascular - limits repair and regeneration
Nutrition is by diffusion: limits thickness (it is thin, avascular, so needs nutrients still)
- Articular surfaces of joint has no perichondrium - no source of new chondroblasts (reduces repairability)
- Cartilage atrophy is reversible - but it takes a long time
Describe Bone as a specialised connective tissue
- Structurally strong - mechanical support and proctection
- reservoir for calcium and phosphate in the body
(role in calcium homeostasis) - Supports haematopoiesis - bone marrow
Composed of cells and ECM
- Matrix must be strong enough to support the body, yet light enough to be moved (max strength, low weight)
- The cells produce, mediate, maintain and remodel the matrix
Describe the organisation of bone
- Dense outer shell - compact bone
- Inner spongy/cancellous bone - arranged in interconnecting trabecular with spaces for bone marrow
Max strength, less weight
Describe the organisation and structure of the interconnecting trabecular system of the inner spongy/cancellous bone
Within a single trabecular, there are:
- concentric lamellae
- with osteocytes with lacunae - connected to each other via canaliculi (similar to the tissue arrangement in the osteons of compact bone)
However, unlike other osteons, trabecular do not have central canals or perforating canals containing blood or lymph vessels, and nerves.