Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Vertebral Column > Cartilage > Flashcards

Cartilage Flashcards

1
Q

What cells are present in the cartilage connective tissues?

A

Fibroblasts
Adipose cells
Osteocytes
Chondrocytes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is present in the ECM of cartilage?

A

Fibres (collagen, reticular or elastic)
Ground substance (GAGs and glycoproteins)
Tissue fluid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is the reference for the general constituents of cartilage?

A

Kerr, 2010

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is cartilage surrounded by? What is its structure?

A

Perichondrium:

  • Dense, irregular connective tissue
  • Composed largely of collagen
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the general functions of cartilage?

A

Supportive framework of organs
Articulate surfaces
Forms most of foetal skeleton (largely replaced by bone)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What cells form cartilage and what is it surrounded by?

A

Chondrocytes surrounded by specialised ECM

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the outer layer of perichondrium and what is it composed of?

A

Fibrous outer layer composed of:

  • Fibroblasts
  • Collagen fibres
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the inner layer of perichondrium and what is it composed of?

A

Chondrogenic inner layer:

  • Chondroblasts
  • Chondrogenic cells (produce new chondroblasts)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is the reference for general cartilage structure, perichondrium and chondrocytes?

A

Gartner and Hiatt, 2014

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is the space that individual chondrocytes are found within?

A

A lacuna

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is an isogenous group?

A

When a chondrocytes divides there may be more than one chondrocytes within the lacuna

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is the typical shape of a chondrocyte?

A

Egg-shaped

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the function of chondrocytes?

A

Produce and maintain ECM

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

How much of cartilage is made up of ECM?

A

> 95%

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the predominant components of the cartilage ECM?

A

Type II collagen

Proteoglycan aggregates

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

How does the high degree of hydration of the cartilage ECM affect its function?

A

It means cartilage can respond to varying loads

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

How is nutrition supplied to the ECM?

A

Diffusion between blood vessels in:

  • Perichondrium
  • Chondrocytes
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What is the matrix immediately surrounding a chondrocyte?

A

Capsular matrix

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is the territorial matrix?

A

Darker matrix immediately around lacunae of isogenous groups

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is the lighter ECM that composes the rest of the ECM?

A

Interterritorial matrix

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are the references for the ECM?

A

Ross and Pawlina, 2006

Kerr, 2010

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

How do chondrocytes develop?

A

Mesenchymal embryonic cells differentiate into chondroblasts
Chondroblasts secrete cartilage matrix
Matrix surrounds Chondroblasts = Chondrocytes in lacunae

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Describe interstitial cartilage growth?

A

Growth from a number of centres
Chondroblasts multiply and divide into clusters of cells = Isogenous groups
Groups produce ECM which separates Chondroblasts = Chondrocytes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

In what type of cartilage does interstitial growth occur?

A

Immature

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What is appositional cartilage growth?
Growth through addition of new layers to existing ones | Occurs in chondrogenic layer of perichondrium
26
In what type of cartilage does appositional growth occur?
Mature cartilage
27
What is the reference for cartilage growth?
Gartner and Hiatt, 2014
28
What are the components of hyaline cartilage?
Chondrocytes ECM: - Predominantly Type II collagen - Chondroitin sulfate
29
What are the functions of hyaline cartilage?
Low friction surface via lubrication of synovial joints | Distributes forces to underlying bone
30
Where is hyaline cartilage found?
Articulate surfaces of synovial joints Foetal skeleton - Provides model for its development Costal cartilage - Some passive movement
31
What are the components of fibrocartilage?
``` Chondrocytes ECM: - Type I collagen fibrils (connective tissue matrix) - Type II collagen fibrils (hyaline) Dense regular connective tissue ```
32
Why is there less matrix associated with chondrocytes in fibrocartilage?
Chondrocytes are dispersed amongst collagen fibres
33
Does fibrocartilage have a perichondrium?
No
34
What shape is the nucleus of chondrocytes in fibrocartilage?
Rounded
35
What is the shape of the nucleus of fibroblasts in fibrocartilage?
Flattened and elongated
36
What are the functions of fibrocartilage?
Shock-absorption Flexibility Deformation resistance
37
Where is fibrocartilage found?
Secondary cartilaginous joints (symphyses): - IV discs - Pubic symphysis
38
What is a useful reference for both hyaline cartilage and fibrocartilage?
Ross and Pawlina, 2006
39
What are the components of elastic cartilage?
``` Chondrocytes ECM: - Type II collagen - Proteoglycans - Elastin (elastic fibres and interconnecting elastic sheets) ```
40
Which types of cartilage calcify with age?
Hyaline
41
Where is elastic cartilage found?
Pinna | Pharyngotympanic (eustachian) tube
42
What cartilages are present in the vertebral column?
``` Hyaline: - Zygapophyseal joints - Cartilagenous end plates Fibrocartilage: - IV discs ```
43
What directions do the facet joints in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions allow movement in?
``` Cervical: - All directions Thoracic: - Lateral Flexion - Rotation Lumbar: - Flexion - Extension - Lateral flexion ```
44
What is the role of hyaline cartilage on the facet joints?
Reduces friction
45
In what direction does the thickness of the IV discs increase?
Craniocaudally
46
What is the composition of the IV discs?
Mostly ECM | Only ~1% volume chondrocytes
47
IV discs are the largest non-vascular structures in the body. How much distance is there between some lumbar discs and direct blood supply?
20mm
48
What types of collagen does the nucleus pulposus produce?
Type II
49
What types of collagen does the annulus fibrosus produce?
Type I | Type II
50
What are the functions of the IV discs?
Shock absorption Flexibility Transmission of load
51
From what do the cartilaginous endplates develop from?
Mesoderm
52
How much of the IV space do the cartilaginous end plates make up?
~5% of adult IV space | ~50% at birth
53
At birth there are vascular channels running through end plates, how do these change throughout life and how does this affect function?
Fill with ECM by end of first decade of life | Provide nutrition to IV disc
54
What are the functions of the cartilaginous end plates?
Growth plate for vertebrae in early life Nutrient transport to IV disc Barrier between VB and nucleus pulposus preventing Schmorl's nodes
55
What can arise if the IV discs degenerate?
Intervertebral osteochondrosis
56
How does intervertebral osteochondrosis initially begin?
As a Schmorl's node: | - Herniation of nucleus pulposus through cartilaginous and bony endplates into adjacent vertebral body
57
Where is intervertebral osteochondrosis most common?
Cervical region | Lower lumbar region
58
How does intervertebral osteochondrosis appear radiographically?
Loss of disc space | Bony sclerosis of vertebral bodies
59
If intervertebral osteochondrosis progresses, what can it result in?
Destruction of cartilaginous endplate | Bulging of outer fibres of annulus fibrosus
60
What is osteoarthritis?
A non-infective arthritis affecting synovial joints | Degeneration of articulate cartilage through reduced proteoglycan content in ECM
61
What are the pathological features of osteoarthritis?
Loss of joint space Osteophyte growth at joint margins Subchondral sclerosis (Subchondral cysts)
62
What is the only synovial joint in the spine affected by osteoarthritis?
Zygapophyseal joints
63
What is the sequelae of uncovertebral joint degeneration in the cervical spine?
Osteophyte formation Stenosis of IV foramina Vertebral artery compression
64
What are the costal articulations with the spine?
Costovertebral | Costotransverse
65
Where is degeneration in the thoracic spine common?
Between T11 and T12 with ribs 11 and 12 respectively
66
What happens in SIJ degeneration?
Complete or partial joint ankylosis: - Stiffening and hardening of joint - Stiffness and reduced range of movement of joint Osteophytes on anterior articular surface Bony sclerosis on anterior articular surface

Vertebral Column (14 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions