Cartilage Flashcards
What are the 3 main types of Cartilage and where are they found?
Hyaline - articular cartilage in joints, larynx and trachea
Elastic - outer ear and epiglottis
Fibrous - pubic symphysis, intervertebral discs
What cell type secretes components of cartilage?
Chondrocytes, derived form fibroblasts, secrete collagen and elastin which make up cartilage and give it strength and flexibility.
What type of tissue is cartilage?
Connective tissue
What is the function of hyaline cartilage?
Absorb shock and reduce friction
What is the function of elastic cartilage?
Provide shape and support
What is the function of fibrous cartilage?
Rigidity and absorb shock
Does cartilage have a blood supply?
No, it is avascular.
What is cartilage characterised by?
Extracellular matrix filled with chondrocytes
Outline the structure of cartilage.
Proteoglycan monomers form aggregates with hyaluronic acid, interwoven with collagen fibrils.
What makes cartilage resilient to repeated pressure?
Large amount of hyalurionic acid
Extracellular matrix is firm but pliable
Which type of cartilage contains type 1 collagen fibres as well as type 2?
Fibrocartilage
What are the only cell type present in hyaline cartilage?
Chondrocytes
What type of bone generation begins from a template of hyaline cartilage?
Endochondral ossification
After bone development, where does hyaline cartilage remain?
Articulating surfaces and epiphyseal plate until growth ceases.
What is perichondrium and where is it found?
It is dense CT that covers the margin of hyaline cartilage. It contains many elongate, fibroblast-like cells which develop into chondroblasts and then into chondrocytes.
