1B.2 CARTILAGE

Question 1

what are the 3 types of cartilage types

Answer 1

1. Hyaline/Articular Cartilage
   - Most abundant, yet weakest
   - Smooth surface flexibility and support @ joints
   - E.g. articular cartilage, nose, bronchi, epiphyseal plate
2. Elastic Cartilage
   - specialized tissue with elastic fibres
   - provide strength + elasticity to maintain shape of structure
   - E.g. epiglottis and outer ear, eustachian tubes
3. Fibrocartilage
   - shock absorber, very durable; lots collagen
   - support + join structures, strongest type
   - E.g. menisci, intervertebral disc, symphysis pubis

Question 2

Characteristics of Hyaline/Articular Cartilage

Answer 2

• A dense viscoelastic connective tissue covering the articulating ends of bones within synovial joints
• It is a metabolically active tissue that has:
  No blood supply
  No lymph channels
  No neurological supply

Question 3

what is the function Hyaline/Articular Cartilage

Answer 3

• Distributes mechanical load over a wider area to decrease stress/pressure on joint surfaces

Pressure = force/area

• Reduce friction to minimize wear and allow relatively free movement of the opposing joint surfaces

Question 4

What is the composition Hyaline/Articular Cartilage?

Answer 4

Cells (<10% of total volume)
- Chondrocytes
- Manufacture, secrete, organize and maintain ECM

Extracellular Matrix (ECM)
- Interstitial Fluid:
Water: 60-80% by weight
Lipids
Dissolved electrolytes
- Collagen
- Proteoglycans

Question 5

Structure of Hyaline/Articular Cartilage

Answer 5

Bottom - Up

Bony Connection
Fluid Storage
Distribute Force

Question 6

What are the 2 types of arthritis?

Answer 6

Osteoarthritis (OA)
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Question 7

what type of arthritis has the following traits:
-joint cartilage is gradually lost,
-wear and tear,
- most common type of arthritis and cause of hip- and knee- replacements,
-can be unilateral

Answer 7

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Question 8

What type of arthritis has the following traits:

-Inflammation of joint linings (synovial membrane) + cartilage

-autoimmune disease

-eventually, as cartilage degrades, fibrous tissue joins exposed bone ends, making them immovable

• typically bilateral

Answer 8

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)