Cartilage Flashcards
What is cartilage?
Specialized connective tissue providing the skeletal framework of the body.
What does it mean that cartilage is avascular?
It has no nerves or lymphatic supply, meaning few or no blood vessels.
What is the origin of cartilage?
Cartilage is derived from embryonic mesenchyme.
What are the components of the extracellular matrix of cartilage?
70-75% water
15-20% collagen
2-10% proteoglycans
Where is hyaline cartilage found?
In the trachea.
What are the functions of hyaline cartilage?
Provides a smooth, low-friction surface in joints.
Supports growth and shaping of long bones.
Lines the articular surface of synovial joints.
What is unique about chondrocytes in hyaline cartilage?
They form isogenous groups surrounded by interterritorial matrix.
They cannot undergo mitosis.
What makes elastic cartilage unique?
It is more flexible and elastic than other types.
What does the extracellular matrix of elastic cartilage contain?
A small amount of amorphous material and a small number of type II collagen.
How does elastic cartilage grow?
Appositional growth (from perichondrium).
Interstitial growth.
Does elastic cartilage undergo calcification?
No, it does not undergo calcification.
What are the key features of fibrocartilage?
Interlacing strands of fibrous tissue through the matrix.
Provides tensile strength due to collagen.
Where is fibrocartilage found?
Symphysis pubis.
Annulus fibrosus of intervertebral discs.
Bone-to-tendon attachments.
Does fibrocartilage have a perichondrium?
No, it lacks a distinct perichondrium.
What type of collagen does fibrocartilage contain?
Type I and type II collagen
What are chondrocytes?
Mature cells of cartilage and the only cells present.
Can chondrocytes divide?
No, they cannot undergo mitosis.
Where is type II collagen found?
External ear
Intervertebral discs
Spinal cord
Skeletal structures
What does type II collagen form?
A large area of dense connective tissue with type I collagen.
What is chondrogenesis?
The process where cartilage is formed from condensed mesenchyme tissue.
What is the function of neutrophils?
To kill and phagocytose bacteria.
What is the structure of neutrophil nuclei?
3-5 lobes.
What is the function of eosinophils?
To kill parasites and modulate local inflammation
What is the function of basophils?
To release histamine during allergic reactions and modulate inflammation.
What are the two types of agranulocytes in cartilage?
Lymphocytes: Regulate adaptive immunity.
Monocytes: Precursors of macrophages and other phagocytic cells
What is intramembranous ossification?
The process that creates a ring with osteocytes.
What is endochondral ossification?
Staged transitions between cartilage and bone
What is the main difference between intramembranous and endochondral ossification?
Presence of a zone of reversed cartilage in endochondral ossification that does not create any metabolic activity
