Cartilage Flashcards
Cartilage
Specialized connective tissue that is rich in proteoglycans. Functions for support and flexibility
Cellular components of cartilage
Perichondrial fibroblasts
Chondroblasts
Chondrocytes
Chondroclasts
Amorphous cellular matrix
Predominates over fibrous ECM. Mostly glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans and glycoproteins.
Fibrous cellular matrix
Less prominent than amorphous ECM. Mostly Type II collagen, Type I collagen and elastic fibers.
Chondroblast
Perichondrial cells located in lacunae that mature and increase in size as they move closer to the center.
- Rich in RER, Golgi, lipid, and glycogen
- Secrete ECM.
Chondrocyte
Only found in healthy cartilage. They produce and maintain the cartilaginous matrix, which consists mainly of collagen and proteoglycans.
Chondroclast
Associated with cartilage resorption.
Proteoglycans
Compound in connective tissue that consist of protein bonded to glycosaminoglycan groups.
Form a cross linked matrix within amorphous components of cartilage
Non-Vascular Cartilage
1) No blood supply
2) Diffusion is rate limiting to thickness
3) Damage/loss of cartilage difficult to regenerate
4) Nutrition by diffusion
Perichondrium
Dense irregular connective tissue that envelops cartilage where there is no joint.
1) All cartilage possess perichondrium (except epiphyseal growth plate, fibro- and articular)
2) Essential for appositional growth and cartilage repair
3) Provides nutrients
Appositional cartilage growth
Occurs by differentiation of perichondrial fibroblasts into chondroblasts and chondrocytes
Interstitial cartilage growth
Occurs in cartilage that lacks a perichondrium. Occurs by mitosis of existing chondroblast and chondrocytes.
Types of cartilage
Hyaline, Elastic, and Fibrocartilage
Territorial matrix
The area of chondroblast where the ECM accumulates (capsules)
Isogenic groups
Clusters of cells in chondrocytes found in all cartilage. Grows by interstitial growth (nests)
