Cartilage Flashcards

1
Q

How does cartilage receive nutrients and why?

A

Through diffusion of distant blood vessels because it’s a vascular and aneural

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Where can we find cartilage in the human body?

A

Articular, costal, nasal, ears, trachea

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is cartilage?

A

Flexible and semi-rigid connective tissue

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What makes up Cartilage?

A

Chondroblasts, chondrocytes and extracellular matrix

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

How are chondrocytes formed?

A

Chondroblasts surrounded by ECM. Usually stay in lacunae

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is the function of chondroblasts?

A

Produce ECM and fibres (collagen 2 and elastin)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What do chondroblasts derive from?

A

Mesenchymal cells (like osteoblasts)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the function of chondrocytes?

A

Release ECM at a very low level

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the components of the cartilage extracellular matrix?

A

Collagen 2, elastin fibres, molecules. 75% water

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Why is collagen significant in cartilage?

A

Oriented in cartilage in direction of mechanical force. Provides resistance to high tensile strength.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What provides high compressive strength to cartilage?

A

Water, which is bound by aggrecan molecules in ECM

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are the three main molecules found in ECM?

A

Glycosaminoglycans, Proteoglycans (aggrecan), Glycoproteins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What are important functions of the molecules in ECM?

A

Lubrication and Shock absorption (water assists this)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the three types of cartilage?

A

Hyaline, Elastic, Fibrocartilage

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Where is hyaline found (6) and its appearance?

A

Articular, costal, nasal, trachea, bronchi, epiphysial growth plates. Glassy appearance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

3 types of cartilage from strongest to weakest

A

Fibrocartilage, Elastic, Hyaline

17
Q

Where is elastic cartilage found and it’s significance?

A

Ear and larynx. Has elastin fibres so returns to original shape - very flexible and resistant

18
Q

Where is fibrocartilage found and its significance?

A

Joint capsules, intervertebral discs and tendon and ligament insertions. Dense collagen 2 bundles so very strong

19
Q

What happens to cartilage with age?

A

Water levels decrease in body so tensile strength and shock absorption decrease

20
Q

What matrix enclosed compartments do chondrocytes sit in?

A

Lacunae

21
Q

Which vessel lays on the surface of the cartilage?

A

Perichondrial

22
Q

How does cartilage regenerate?

A

It doesn’t degenerate as there is no blood supply. Once damaged, that’s it.

23
Q

Describe the structure of a chondrocyte

A

Small nucleus, irregular shape and lipid droplets within the cell. Found arranged in lacunae