ICL 5.1: Cartilage and Bone Flashcards
what are the 3 components found in all connective tissues?
- cells
- extracellular fibers
- ground substance
what are the 2 supportive connective tissues in the body?
- cartilage
2. bone
what are the 3 types of cartilage?
- hyaline
- elastic
- fibrocartilage
the types are based on the predominant fiber present in the extracellular matrix (ECM)
it’s found where you need support but also flexibility
what is hyaline cartilage?
most abundant cartilage in the body
ex. found in the trachea and keeps the trachea open
what are the common characteristics of hyaline cartilage?
- large amount of ECM between cells = pale blue, semitransparent appearance
- avascular matrix
- mostly surrounded by layer of perichondrium (dense irregular CT)
what are the two types of cells in cartilage?
- chondroblasts
2. chondrocytes
what are chondroblasts?
chondroblasts are derived from mesenchymal
cells and chondrogenic cells in perichondrium
they are Immature cartilage cells, basophilic
elliptic shape near periphery
they secrete cartilage matrix and undergo cell division = mitosis
what are chondrocytes?
mature cartilage cells that reside in lacunae
they are more rounded deeper in the cartilage
although they’re mature, they are still capable of cell division
chondroblasts are called chondrocytes once they are embedded in ECM
what is an isogenous group?
where two or more cells are in single lacunae or are very closely associated with each other
this represents where a cell has recently undergone cell division and begun to lay down new matrix
what are the two methods of cartilage growth?
- interstitial growth
growth from within –> tissue is added from the inside of the tissue
- appositional growth
growth on outside of tissue proper –> tissue is added on the outer surface of the tissue by the perichondrium
what are the 2 layers of the perichondrium?
- fibrous layer
2. chondrogenic layer
what is the fibrous layer of the perichondrium? what is it composed of?
it’s an outer layer of dense irregular fibrous connective tissue containing blood vessels which supply nutrients to all of the cartilage
it’s composed of type I collagen*, vascular, and fibroblasts
what is the chondrogenic layer of the perichondrium? what is it composed of?
it’s the inner layer of the perichondrium
composed mainly of chondrogenic cells that undergo division and differentiate into chondroblasts = appositional growth
what is ground substance? what’s it composed of?
it’s one of the three components of connective tissue that’s an amorphous gel-like substance in the extracellular space that contains all components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) except for fibrous materials such as collagen and elastin
it’s abundant; there’s a lot of it between cells
it consists of an amorphous gel that’s rich in proteoglycans and lots of sulfated Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)
it’s relatively low in hyaluronic acid
two portions = territorial matrix and inter territorial matrix
what is the territorial matrix?
it’s the portion of the ground substance immediately around the cell
new chondroblastssecrete a lot of territorial matrix because it’s rich in GAGs
what is the interterritorial matrix?
it’s the portion of the ground substance between the cells
it stains lighter than the territorial matrix due to a lower sulfur content
what are proteoglycans?
it gives the matrix its characteristic structure and is more organized than connective tissue proper
this is the most important component of cartilage
what is the proteoglycan subunit called?
aggrecan
aggrecans are covalently linked to main hyaluronic acid chain forming huge proteoglycan aggregate
they are responsible for the gel-like character of the matrix
what are the 3 functions of proteoglycan aggregates?
- diffusion of nutrients
holds interstitial fluid important for diffusion of nutrients and oxygen from surface of cartilage to interior
all nutrients come from blood vessels in the fibrous layer of the perichondrium
- resists compression
- slippery (good for joints)
what are the 2 types of adhesion molecules in hyaline cartilage?
- chondronectin
adherence of cell membrane to extracellular matrix (ECM) (integrin)
- chondrocalcin
calcium binding in the ECM (calcify the cartilage)
what are the 2 types of extracellular fibers in hyaline cartilage?
- collagen type II
2. pericellular capsule
what is the pericellular capsule?
a type of extracellular fibers in hyaline cartilage
it’s immediately adjacent to cell and is a fine meshwork of other types of collagen thought to protect cells from mechanical stresses
where is hyaline cartilage found in the body?
- costal cartilage
- trachea, bronchi of lungs
- larynx, nasal cartilage
- articular cartilage in synovial joints (no perichondrium)
- fetal skeleton
- epiphyses (no perichondrium)
what is the function of hyaline cartilage?
- provides structural support
elastic firmness that is resilient yet fairly rigid; due to gel-like form of ground substance from presence of proteoglycans
- withstands lots of pressure and shear forces
acts as shock absorber; due to proteoglycans filled with water
- slippery
due to large amounts of proteoglycans containing water; 80% of wet weight is water
- capable of rapid growth
important to have support during development because bone grows too slowly and would be too rigid during the birth process
what is elastic cartilage composed of?
chondrocytes are principal fixed cell type – they’re widely scattered
the principal fiber type is elastic fibers; collagen type II is also present –> both fibers are secreted by the chondrocytes
how can you differentiate between elastic and hyaline cartilage in an H&E stain?
you can’t; elastic cartilage looks just like hyaline cartilage on an H&E stain
you need a special elastic stain to see the elastic fibers and type II collagen
verhoeff’s iron hematoxylin (VIH) stain is specific for the elastic fibers and stains them black and blue
what is the ground substance of elastic cartilage like?
it’s the same structure as hyaline cartilage but just not as abundant due to lots of elastic fibers
where is elastic cartilage found in the body?
- auricle
- epiglottis
- auditory canal
- larynx
what is the function of elastic cartilage?
resilient support is needed with greater flexibility & elasticity to return to original position
what are the characteristics of fibrocartilage?
- chrondrocytes are the principal fixed cell type and they are aligned between bundles of collagen
- there are densely packed type I collagen fibers in bundles
- not a lot of ground substance due to numerous collagen fibers
- NO perichondrium
where is fibrocartilage located in the body?
- pubic symphysis
- intervertebral discs
- junction of attachment between tendon and bone
what is the function of intervetebral discs?
cushion and absorb impact
needs to be tough and resistant to stress but not rigid
what are the 5 types of cells found in bones?
- osteoprogenitor cells
- osteoblasts
- osteocytes
- osteoclasts
- bone lining cells