Histology: Connective Tissue- Cartilage Flashcards
What is cartilage? What is it composed of?
- form of connective tissue
- composed of chondrocytes and a highly specialized ECM (extracellular matrix)
What percentage of the cartilage is the ECM? Why?
more than 95%,
it is a functional element of cartilage.
Is cartilage vascular of avascular?
Cartilage is avascular
What does cartilage have to have to make up for its avascularity?
the composition of the extracellular matrix is essential for the diffusion of substances between the chondrocytes and blood vessels (in the surrounding connective tissue).
What is the most important cells of connective tissues?
fibrocytes
What are chondrocytes?
fibrocytes located in the cartilage.
specific name
What are osteocytes?
fibrocytes located in bones.
fibrocytes are named differently depending on what location of the organism they make up.
What are the three major cartilage types?
1) hyaline cartilage
2) fibrocartilage
3) elastic cartilage
What is hyaline cartilage made out of?
type II collagen fibers, GAGs, proteoglycans, and multiadhesive glycoproteins.
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What is fibrocartilage made out of?
type I collagen fibers, and the matrix material of hyeline cartilage
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What is elastic cartilage made out of?
elastic fibers, elastic lamellae, and the matrix material of hyaline cartilage.
What is the most common type of cartilage?
hyaline cartilage
How do the cells differ in the different types of cartillage? What differs between the different cartillage types?
cells dont differ, they are the same cell.
The only thing that changes is the ECM:
1) level of ground substance
2) fibers
Explain the structure of hyaline cartilage. What are the spaces called? What is located within these structures? What produces the matrix? How does the matrix look? How are the major cells arranged, what is it called?
- between the cartilage matrix, the spaced are called lacunae,
- chondrocytes are located within the lacunae
- the ECM is produced by chondrocytes
- the EMC is homogenous and amorphous
- the EMC appears glassy
- chondrocytes are distributed:
(a) singularity
(b) in clusters called ISOGENOUS groups
amorphous- no clear defined shape
How many cells are “isogenous groups” usually composed of? Why are the groups called “isogenous”?
- 4 cells
- there is a singular cell which divides causing the 4 cells
- group of “daughter cells”
1–> 2 –> 4
What is a “lacunae”?
the specific location in which isogenous groups locate themselves to produce the ECM.
What are the ‘covering’ connective tissue of chondrocytes called? What tissue is it made out of? What is its function?
- perichondrium: capsule of cartilage (dense connective tissue)
- protective property–> for protection, found in every internal organ
What three classes of molecules does hyaline cartilage contain?
1) collagen mollecules
2) proteoglycan aggretates
3) multiadhesive glycoproteins
not necessary
What three types of GAGs does the ground substance of hyaline cartilage contain?
1) hyaluronan (regulates integrity, development and tissue repair)
2) chondroitin sulfate (building block of cartilage)
3) keratan sulfate (hydration of cartilage)
not necessary
Where is the perichondrium not present in synovial joints?
on the free, or articular surfaces of articular cartilage.
Where is hyaline cartilage found?
- articular surfaces of joints (articular cartilage)
- in the rib cage (coastal cartilages)
- skeletal unit in the trachea, bronchi, arynx, and nose
What cartilage is the nose made of?
hyaline cartilage. When moving the nose, only the skin moves (it is an illusion that the skin cartilage is elastic).
What does elastic cartilage contain?
contains:
- components of the hyaline cartilage matrix
- elastic cartilage matrix
- dense network of branching and linked ELASTIC FIBERS
What are the properties of elastic cartilage?
- elastic
- resilient
- pliable
