Cartilage and Bone Flashcards
What does cartilage consist of?
Extracellular matrix, chondrocytes and proteoglycans
What do chondrocytes do?
Produce and maintain the ECM
What type of GAG is abundant in cartilage and why?
Hyaluronic acid and its negative charges means it attracts water to produce a hydrated gel that allows for diffusion and resistance to pressure
What type of collagen is found in the ECM of cartilage?
Type 2
What are the 3 types of cartilage?
Hyaline, elastic and fibrocartilage
What is hyaline cartilage composed of?
Proteoglycans, hyaluronic acid and type 2 collagen
What are groups of chondrocytes called?
Isogenous groups
Where is hyaline cartilage found?
At articulating surfaces, nose, ribs, larynx, trachea and bronchus
What is the perichondrium?
A layer of dense CT that surround hyaline cartilage except at the articulating surfaces
What is the perichondrium responsible for?
Appositional growth as the fibroblasts in the perichondrium develop into chondrocytes which secrete the ECM causing growth of the cartilage from the edges
What is interstitial growth of cartilage?
Where the isogenous groups deep into the cartilage produce ECM and move away from each other causing growth of the cartilage
What is the composition of elastic cartilage?
The same as hyaline cartilage but with elastic fibres
Where is elastic cartilage found?
In the pinna of the ear and the epiglottis
What is fibrocartilage composed of?
Hyaline cartilage, dense regular CT (lots of type 1 collagen), fibroblasts (elongated) and rows of chondrocytes
Where is fibrocartilage found?
Pubic symphysis, knee joint, intervertebral discs
What is the role of fibrocartilage?
To act as a shock absorber in pressure areas