Cartilage Flashcards
What is a chondrocyte?
A chondrocyte is a cell that has secreted the matrix of cartilage and has become embedded in it.
What cells are found in cartilage?
Chondrogenic cells –> chondroblasts –> chondrocytes
What is found in the extracellular substance of cartilage?
- Collagen fibers
- Aggregates of proteoglycans rich in chondroitin sulfates.
- Glycoproteins (anchorin, tenascin, fibronectin and chondronectin)
What are chondrogenic cells?
Chondrogenic cells are stem cells for cartilage and can be transformed into chondroblasts.
What are chondroblasts?
Chondroblasts are cells that actively produce the components of extracellular substance during cartilage formation. They will then transform into chondrocytes.
Where and how are the extracellular substances produced and excreted from the chondroblast?
RER –> Golgi –> Constituitive exocytosis
What are the characteristics common for all cartilage types?
- No blood vessels
- Ground substance rich in chondroitin sulphates
- Chondrocytes residing in lacunae: singel or in small groups called isogenous groups.
What are chondral territories?
Chondral territories are small cavities (lacunae) that are surrounded by ground substance.
What is perichondrium?
The perichondrium is a layer of dense connective tissue that covers the cartilage surface.
Where are the blood vessels, supplying oxygen and nutrients present in cartilage?
In the perichondrium of cartilage
What cartilage cells are present in perichondrium?
Perichondrium contains chondrogenic cells which can be activated and become chondroblasts.
How does cartilage grow in size?
- By the growth of apposition: chondrogenic cells present in the perichondrium being activated and becoming chondroblasts producing extracellular substance.
- By interstitial growth: Divisions of chondrocytes in the chondral territories.
Does cartilage have strong regenerative capabilities?
Mature cartilage have very weak regenerative capabilities, especially in elderly persons.
Which cartilage types do have chondral territories?
All cartilage (elastic, fibro and hyaline cartilage) contains chondral territories.
- However, fibrocartilage contains fewer chondral territories.
What collagen type is present in hyaline cartilage between and around the chondral territories?
Collagen type 2