Histology π¬ Flashcards
what is the definition of cartilages?
It is a specialized type of connective tissue
what are the characters of cartilages?
- The cartilage is avascular, no nerves or blood and lymphatic vessels.
- Has firm or rubbery matrix
- Usually covered by perichondrium.
what are the functions of cartilages?
Firm matrix:
- Allows the tissue to bear mechanical stresses without permanent distortion
- Supports soft tissues especially in respiratory system.
In joints:
- Shock-absorbing because it is resilient.
- Smooth surface Preventing rubbing of bones against each other.
- It helps connect tendons and ligaments to bones.
- Essential for growth, development of bone in growing children.
what is the structure of cartilage?
- Chondrocytes (Cartilage cells).
- Cartilage matrix.
- Fibers.
what are the types of cartilage?
Hyaline Cartilage: it appears translucent pale blue (i.e. hyaline = glassy in fresh state)
Yellow elastic fibrocartilage: It is a yellow colour in fresh state
White fibrocartilage: It is white colour in fresh state.
what is the most common type of cartilage?
Hyaline Cartilage
what are the sites of Hyaline Cartilage?
- Forms majority of the fetal skeleton.
- Articular Surface of bones.
- Costal Cartilage in the thoracic cage.
- Respiratory passages: Nose, Trachea, Bronchi
- Laryngeal cartilages (Thyroid and cricoid)
what is the structure of Hyaline Cartilage?
- Perichondrium.
- Chondrocytes.
- Matrix.
what is the definition of Perichondrium?
It is a vascular connective tissue membrane which covers the cartilage except at the articular surface of joints.
what is the Perichondrium formed of?
Formed of 2 layers:
1) Outer fibrous layer.
2) Inner chondrogenic layer.
what is Outer fibrous layer of perichondrium formed of?
Formed of fibrous connective tissue rich in collagen type I, fibroblasts and blood vessels.
what is the function of Outer fibrous layer of perichondrium?
- Blood supply and nourishment of cartilage cells
- Site for attachment of muscles.
what forms the Inner chondrogenic layer of perichondrium?
It is formed of cartilage forming cells (chondroblast) which can divide and differentiate into chondrocytes which secrete the cartilage matrix.
what is the function of Inner chondrogenic layer of perichondrium?
new cartilage formation during growth or repair, (as chondroblasts secrete matrix, then change into chondrocytes).
what is the shape of chondroblasts?
Oval young cells with cell processes.
site of chondroblasts
Present in perichondrium.
function of chondroblasts
Precursors of chondrocytes.
what are the types of cartilage cells?
There are 2 types of cartilage cells (Chondrocytes):
1. Young chondrocytes.
2. Mature (old) chondrocytes.
compare between young & old chondrocytes according to
- site
- structure
- no. inside their lacunae
- function
what are cell nests?
a group of cells that are present inside single lacunae and separated by thin partitions of matrix
what are the characteristcs of the matrix of cartilage?
- Firm or rubbery in consistency.
- Avascular but it allows diffusion of oxygen and nutrients from blood vessels of perichondrium to reach the chondrocytes.
- There is concentration of the cartilage matrix around each lacuna which is rich in glycosaminoglcans and poor in collagen, this zone called the territorial or capsular matrix.
- It is homogenous as collagenous fibers have the same refractive index of the amorphous substance.
- It is basophilic due to high content of chondrotin sulphate.
- The basophilia is markedly increased around lacunae and cell nests.
- It is stained metachromatically by Toluidine blue β appear purple.
- It shows strong PAS positivity.
structure of hyaline cartilage matrix
what is Territorial matrix?
The darker staining matrix immediately surrounding the lacuna of chondrocytes
what is Interterritorial matrix?
Is the matrix that occupies the majority of space between chondrocytes.
what are the general feautures of Yellow elastic fibrocartilage?
- Fresh elastic cartilage has a yellow colour due to presence of elastin in the elastic fibers.
- The most flexible and stretchable type of cartilage.
- It can be stained by standard elastic stains e.g. orcein & verhoeffβs stains.
what is the most flexible and strechable type of cartilage?
yellow elastic fibrocartilage
what stains Yellow elastic fibrocartilage?
orcein & verhoeffβs stains.
4E
what are the sites of Yellow elastic fibrocartilage?
- Ear Pinna
- External auditory meatus.
- Eustachian tube
- Epiglottis
what is the structure of Yellow elastic fibrocartilage?
It is identical to hyaline cartilage except that:
- The matrix contains an abundant network of fine elastic fibers in addition to collagen type II fibrils which responsible for elasticity and flexibility of this type.
what are the general characters of White fibrocartilage?
- It is white in colour in fresh state.
- It is the strongest type of cartilage that resists stretch due to presence of collagen fibers
- It has alternating layers of hyaline cartilage matrix and thick layers of dense collagen fibers oriented in the direction of functional stresses
what is the strongest type of cartilage?
White fibrocartilage
what are the sites of White fibrocartilage?
- Intervertebral disc.
- Symphysis pubis.
- Semilunar cartilage of knee joint (mensci)
- Terminal parts of tendons.
what is the structure of White fibrocartilage?
It differs from hyaline cartilage in:
- It is not covered by perichondrium as it is usually a transitional layer between hyaline cartilage and tendon, but it is surrounded by dense C. T. It receives the nourishment and O2 supply from the blood vessels of the surrounding C.T.
Matrix:
- It is acidophilic because it contains a great number of coarse type I collagen fibers arranged in bundles.
Chondrocytes:
- Are arranged in rows in lacunae (single or in pairs) between collagen bundles.
compare between the 3 types of cartilage in terms of:
- appearence
- site
- perichondrium
- matrix
- collagen fibers
compare between appositional growth & interstitial growth of cartilage in terms of:
- definition
- direction of growth
- mechanism
- result of growth
what is achondroplasia?
- is a form of short-limbed dwarfism due to a genetic mutation in the gene Responsible of converting cartilage to bone (a process called ossification), particularly in the long bones of the arms and legs.
what is osteoarthritis?
- degenerative change in the articular cartilages of both opposing bone ends of a joint leading to their rubbing with pain sensation.
what is disc degeneration and prolapse?
- degenerative change in intervertebral disc between 2 vertebrae, A slipped disc occurs when the outer covering of the disc (annulus) tears and the internal gel (nucleus) herniates, causing the gel to press on the nerve root
what is the definition of bones?
Bone is a highly specialized variety of C.T
what are the functions of bones?
- It forms the skeleton.
- Muscles attachment.
- Protection of soft organs as brain.
what are the constituents of bones?
- Bone cells
- Bone Matrix
- Periosteum
- Endosteum
site of osteogenic cells (osteoprogenitor cells)
- Inner osteogenic layer of periosteum.
- Endosteum.
- Bone marrow cavities
LM of osteogenic cells (osteoprogenitor cells)
- They are flat cells with central flat nuclei
- pale basophilic cytoplasm.
EM of osteogenic cells (osteoprogenitor cells)
Rich in ribosomes and rER.
what are the functions of osteogenic cells (osteoprogenitor cells)?
They are capable to divide and give osteoblasts (bone forming cells) during:
1) Growth of bone.
2) Healing of fracture bone.
what is the origin of osteoblasts?
Activated osteogenic cells
Sites of osteoblasts (Bone forming cells)
- Activated inner osteogenic layer of periosteum.
- Endosteum.
- Walls of bone marrow spaces.
LM of osteoblasts
- Oval branched cells with few processes
- Oval, eccentric, open face nuclei.
- Deep basophilic cytoplasm
EM of osteoblasts
- ribosomes, rER, well-developed Golgi apparatus & mitochondria