Cartilage and Bone Flashcards
What is a proteoglycan monomer made up of?
A core protein and approx. 100 GAGs
Name the three types of cartilage
Fibrocartilage
Hyaline cartilage
Elastic cartilage
What cell type is most present in hyaline cartilage?
Chondrocytes
What role does hyaline cartilage play in embryological development?
The precursor model of bones in the foetus
What is the function of a chondrocyte?
Produce and maintain the extracellular matrix
Where are new chondroblasts made?
Made in the perichondrium (dense connective tissue layer which covers the margins of hyaline cartilage)
Where can hyaline cartilage be found in long bones?
The articulating surface and the epiphyseal growth plate
What property make elastic cartilage different from hyaline cartilage?
Extra elastic fibres in the extracellular matrix
What are the main cell types found in fibrocartilage?
Chondrocytes and fibroblasts
What is fibrocartilage made up of?
Dense regular connective tissue and hyaline cartilage
What is the function of fibrocartilage?
Acts as a shock absorber and can resist shearing forces
Where can fibrocartilage be found?
Articulating discs
Intervertebral discs
Knee menisci
Pubic symphysis
Describe the structure of cancellous bone
Network of fine bony columns with the spaces filled with bone marrow
Describe the structure of compact bone
Osteons- interlocking consecutive circles of bone
Haversian and Volkmann’s canals
Describe the histological structure of spongy bone
Similar to compact bone
No Volkmann or Haversian canals
