cartilage hitso

Question 1

What is Cartilage?

Answer 1

Cartilage = Chondro
📌 Definition: A type of connective tissue (CT) with a firm, rubbery, and flexible matrix.

Question 2

Characteristics of cartilage

Answer 2

✅ No nerves
✅ Avascular (no blood vessels)
✅ Nutrition via diffusion from surrounding tissues or synovial fluid

Question 3

Functions of Cartilage

Answer 3

✅ Reduces friction at joints
✅ Acts as a shock absorber (resists mechanical compression)
✅ Provides shape, support, and
flexibility to body structures
✅ Keeps airways patent
✅ Important for bone development & growth

Question 4

Structure of Cartilage

Answer 4

3 Main Components:
1️⃣ Cells → Chondroblasts & Chondrocytes
2️⃣ Matrix → Firm, rubbery, flexible
3️⃣ Fibers → Collagen (Type I & II) & Elastic fibers
4️⃣ Perichondrium (except at articular surfaces)

Question 5

Perichondrium

Answer 5

Definition: A dense fibrous connective tissue surrounding cartilage (except at joints).
📌 Structure:

Outer fibrous layer: Fibroblasts, Collagen Type I, Blood vessels
Inner cellular layer: Chondroblasts

Question 6

functions of Perichondrium

Answer 6

Functions:
✅ Provides nutrition (blood vessels)
✅ Attachment site for muscles
✅ Supports appositional growth

Question 7

Cartilage Cells???

Answer 7

1️⃣ Chondroblasts (Immature - Builder Cells)
📍 Origin: From mesenchymal cells
📍 Site: Inner perichondrium
📍 Shape: Flat to oval
📍 Function:

Produces fibers & matrix
Converts into chondrocytes
Responsible for appositional growth (surface growth)
———————————-
Chondrocytes (Mature - Maintaining Cells)
📍 Origin: From chondroblasts
📍 Site: Inside the cartilage (in lacunae)
📍 Shape:

Oval (superficial layers)
Rounded (deep layers)
📍 Function:
Maintains matrix
Responsible for interstitial growth (growth from inside)

Question 8

types of Cartilage Growth????

Answer 8

📌 1. Appositional Growth
✅ Growth from the outside
✅ Occurs when chondroblasts differentiate into chondrocytes

📌 2. Interstitial Growth
✅ Growth from inside
✅ Chondrocytes divide and produce new matrix

Question 9

Types of Cartilage

Answer 9

📌 Cartilage Types (Based on Fiber Type):
1️⃣ Hyaline Cartilage (Type II Collagen)
2️⃣ Elastic Cartilage (Elastic fibers)
3️⃣ Fibrocartilage (Type I Collagen)

Question 10

Characteristics of Hyaline Cartilage

Answer 10

✅ Most common type
✅ Smooth & glassy appearance
✅ Type II Collagen (not visible in LM)

Question 11

Functions of Hyaline Cartilage

Answer 11

✅ Provides frictionless surface for joints
✅ Supports respiratory passages
✅ Forms fetal skeleton
✅ Aims in bone growth (epiphyseal plate)

Question 12

Sites of Hyaline Cartilage

Answer 12

✅ Articular cartilage (joints)
✅ Costal cartilage (ribs)
✅ Epiphyseal plates
✅ Respiratory passages (trachea, bronchi)

Question 13

Characteristics of Elastic Cartilage

Answer 13

✅ Contains abundant elastic fibers
✅ Yellow color, very flexible
✅ Recovers shape after deformation

Question 14

Functions of Elastic Cartilage

Answer 14

✅ Supports movable body parts
✅ Maintains shape & flexibility

Question 15

Sites of Elastic Cartilage

Answer 15

✅ Ear pinna
✅ External auditory canal
✅ Eustachian tube
✅ Epiglottis

Question 16

Characteristics of Fibrocartilage (White Cartilage)

Answer 16

✅ Strongest & least flexible type
✅ Scanty matrix
✅ NO Perichondrium
✅ Contains Type I Collagen (thick bundles)

Question 17

Functions of Fibrocartilage (White Cartilage)

Answer 17

✅ Provides strength
✅ Shock absorption in high-pressure areas

Question 18

Sites of Fibrocartilage (White Cartilage)

Answer 18

✅ Mandibular Joint
✅ Intervertebral Discs
✅ Symphysis Pubis
✅ Sternoclavicular Joint

Question 19

Structure of Intervertebral Disc

Answer 19

📌 Composed of Two Parts:
1️⃣ Outer Fibrous Ring (Annulus Fibrosus) → White fibrocartilage (Type I Collagen)
2️⃣ Inner Soft Core (Nucleus Pulposus) → Jelly-like mass (Type II Collagen)