Histology: Structure of Joints Flashcards
What type of cartilage are joints composed of?
hyaline cartilage
What role does the specialized hyaline cartilage have?
1) shock absorber
2) provides a lubricated surface for movable joints
What part of what cartilage acts as a shock absorber and lubricant?
the extracellular matrix of hyaline cartilage
What is lubrication fluid made out of?
- hyalurnic acid
- immunoglobulins
- lysosomal enzymes
- collagenase
- glycoproteins
What structure produces lubrication fluid?
the synovial lining of the joint capsule
How can one diagnose joint disease?
through the analysis of synovial fluid
What is articular cartilage?
Hyaline cartilage that covers articular surfaces of movable joints.
What is the name of hyaline cartilage that covers articular surfaces of movable joints?
Articular cartilage
What is the structure like of articular cartilage?
similar to hyaline cartilage, but the free surface does NOT have PERICHONDRIUM.
What is the major difference between the structure of hyaline cartilage and articular cartilage?
free articular cartilage does NOT have perichondrium.
How is it possible to visualise articular cartilages on a bone?
An image must be taken of a young animal whose bones are still composed of hyeline cartilage.
What are the 4 articular cartilage layers?
1) superficial (tangential) zone
2) intermediate (transitional) zone
3) deep (radial) zone
4) calcified zone
5) bone
What are the key features of the first articular cartilage layer?
SUPERFICIAL (TANGENTIAL) ZONE:
- pressure resistant region
- closest to the articular surface
- contains elongated and flattened chondrocytes
- surrounded by a condensation of type II collagen fibrils
- arranged in fascicles PARALLEL to the free surface
What cells is the first articular cartilage layer made out of?
elongated and flattened chondrocytes
What are the primary cells of the first articular cartilage layer surrounded by?
- elongated and flattened chondrocytes are surrounded by a condensation of TYPE II COLLAGEN FIBRILS
How are the type II collagen fibrils arranged in the first articular cartilage layer?
in fascicles PARALLEL to the FREE SURFACE
What are the key features of the second articular cartilage layer?
THE INTERMEDIATE (TRANSITIONAL) ZONE:
- lies below the superficial zone
- contains round chondrocytes
- randomly distributed within the matrix
- collagen fibrils are less organised
- arranged in an OBLIQUE ORIENTATION to the surface
What cells is the second articular cartilage layer made out of?
intermediate (transitional) zone:
- ROUND CHONDROCYTES
how are the cells of the second articular cartilage layer arranged?
round chondrocytes are randomly distributed within the matrix
How are the collagen fibrils arranged in the second articular cartilage layer?
- intermediate transitional zone
- LESS ORGANISED
- arranged in a somewhat OBLIQUE ORIENTATION to the SURFACE
What is the third articular cartilage layer called?
deep (radial) zone
What are the key features of the third articular cartilage layer?
DEEP (RADIAL) ZONE:
- small, round chondrocytes
- arranged in short columns
- PERPENDICULAR to the free surface of the cartilage
- collagen fibrils are positioned between columns PARALLEL to the LONG AXIS of the bone
What type of cells is the third articular cartilage layer composed of?
- deep (radial) zone
small round chondrocytes
How are the cells arranged in the third articular cartilage layer?
- small round chondrocytes
- deep (radial) zone
arranged in SHORT COLUMNS PERPENDICULAR to the FREE SURFACE
How are collagen fibrils arranged in the third articular cartilage layer?
between columns PARALLEL to the LONG AXIS of the BONE.
What is the the fourth articular cartilage layer called?
THE CALCIFIED ZONE
What are the key features of the fourth articular cartilage layer?
CALCIFIED ZONE
- calcified matrix
- small chondrocytes
- seperated by a smooth, undulating, heavily calcified line (TIDEMARK)
What type of cells is the fourth articular cartilage layer made out of?
calcified zone
- small chondrocytes
How is the fourth articular cartilage layer seperated from the third articular cartilage layer?
3rd: deep (radial) zone
4th: calcified zone
seperated by a SMOOTH, UNDULIGATING, HEAVILY CALCIFIED line (TIDEMARK).