CARTILAGE Flashcards
What is the function of cartilage
Smooth bearing surface
Flexible interface between bones
Flexible support
Where may we find cartilage
Outer ear
Sternum
Cartilage rings of trachea
How does cartilage grow?
Interstitial growth (from within)
What is the matrix of cartilage like?
No minerals
No blood vessels
No nerves
Different cells, proteins and microstructure to osteoid
Where do we find hyaline/ articular cartilage?
Synovial joints
Sternum
Embryos before bone is formed
What type of collagen does hyaline/ articular cartilage have
Type 2
What is the structure of hyaline/ articular cartilage like?
No blood vessels
No nerves
No lymphatics (not great for repairing itself)
What is the hyaline/ articular cartilage designed to do?
Shock absorber
Withstand and distribute load
Act as an elastic shock absorber
Wear resistance to articular joints
Be self maintaining —> grow and repair itself
What is articular/ hyaline cartilage designed to do?
Withstand and distribute load
Act as an elastic shock absorber
Provide a wear resistant surface to articular joints
Self maintained (grows back slowly)
Where do we find fibrocartilage?
Intervertebral disks
Where tendons attach to bones
What collagen is in the extracellular matrix of fibrocartilage?
Type 1 and 2
What is the structure of fibrocartilage?
Fibrocartilage is a combination of dense regular connective tissue and hyaline cartilage. The chondrocytes are dispersed among the collagen fibers singularly, in rows
Less matrix than in other cartilage types
No perichondrium
What is the function of fibrocartilage?
For tough support or great tensile strength
Where do you find elastic cartilage?
Outer ear
What is difference between hyaline and elastic cartilage
Elastic cartilage has elastin in matrix
Elastin cartilage doesn’t calcify in ageing process like hyaline