cartilage

Question 1

what are the cells embedded in cartilage that synthesises the ECM?

Answer 1

chondrocytes

Question 2

what is the ECM of cartilage composed of?

Answer 2

chondroitin sulphate (a gelatinous protein); varying amounts of fibres (collagen, elastin and other fibrous proteins).

Question 3

what are the three types of cartilage?

Answer 3

elastic, hyaline and fibrocartilage

Question 4

elastic cartilage

Answer 4

found in ears, the tip of the nose and i the epiglottis. This type of cartilage never ossifies.

Question 5

hyaline cartilage

Answer 5

forms the laryngeal cartilages, tracheal rings, bronchi and costal cartilages (the cartilage found at the edge of the rib cage). It also cushions the articular surfaces of synovial joints. Hyaline cartilage also forms the temporary skeleton in the developing fetus. This temporary skeleton is completely replaced by bone in a process known as ossification.

Question 6

fibrocartilage

Answer 6

this type of cartilage forms the tough shock absorbing cartilage between the symphyses in the midline of the body (including the intervertebral discs).