C15 - Cartilage Flashcards
What is connective tissue
tissue that connects and supports organs or other tissues. it has cells embedded in a matrix with fibres of collagen and elastic tissue
What is cartilage
Cartilage is hard flexible connective tissue, in the respiratory airways at the end of bones at the anterior end of the ribs at the nose and the outer ear
What are the properties of cartilage
being somewhat rigid it can hold open tubes such as the trachea and bronchi.
Being flexible it permits movement of the ribcage.
It returns to its original shape after bending and has a role in load-bearing joints
What are the cells in Cartilage called
Chondrocytes
What do Chondrocytes secrete
They secrete an extracellular matrix made of a transparent protein called chondroitin.
Where are chondrocytes found within this matrix
they are found in spaces known as lacunae
What is the consequence of the cartilage cells having no blood vessels
nutrient and gas exchange rely on diffusion
What is the effect of diffusion being slow
cartilage has a slow turnover rate and healing is very slow.
What is turn over rate
The movement of something into, through and out of a place, the rate at which a thing is depleted and replaced.
What are the 3 types of cartilage
Hyaline
White fibrous
Yellow elastic
What is the order of strength between the 3 types of cartilage
Strongest[ White fibrous
Medium[ Yellow elastic
Weakest[ Hyaline
what is the proportion of collagen within hyaline cartilage
a high proportion
what is the role of hyaline cartilage
it becomes bone in the foetus
i.e it ossifies but is retained in the adult as the articular cartilage at the end of bones,
if something like the nose gets damaged it is replaced by fibrocartilage scar tissue called the perichondrium surrounding the hyaline cartilage
What is the role of the white fibrous cartilage
it is involved in the production of intervertebral discs and ligaments and ligaments
how is the collagen arranged in white fibrous cartilage
organised in dense fibres so it has greater tensile strength than other types of cartilage
the fibres are arranged in the direction of stress
