Lecture 1- Cartilage Flashcards
Family of connective tissue
Fat cells, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, chondrocytes, osteocytes
Role of cartilage in prenatal life
Skeletal template
Cartilage role in postnatal life
Bone growth
How does cartilage get its nutrients
Through diffusion of nutrients from blood vessels of nearby tissues. Cartilage is avascular.
Cells in cartilage
Chondroblasts- immature cartilage cells; not in lacunae
Chondrocytes- mature, embedded in matrix and surrounded by lacunae, secrete extracellular matrix
Components of the matrix
Chondroitin sulfate
Keratan sulfate
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaline cartilage
Most common
Rich in type II collagen fibers
Present in embryo and adults
Has a perichondrium except in articular cartilage and growth plate
Appositional growth
Deposition of new cartilage matrix by chondroblasts at perichondrial surface
Interstitial growth
Division off chondrocytes within lacunae; cartilage expands from within
Places where you might find hyaline cartilage
Growth plate, articular cartilage, trachea, and larynx
Articular cartilage
Located within joint spaces Composed of hyaline cartilage No perichondrium Interstitial growth Nutrients received from synovial fluid
Layers of articular cartilage
Superficial (tangential) layer Transitional layer Radial layer Calcified cartilage Bone
Tidemark
Junction between radial zone and calcified cartilage
Elastic cartilage
External ear, auditory tube, and epiglottis
Elastic fibers
Does not calcify
Fibrocartilage
Found in annulus fibrosis of intervertebral discs, symphisis pubis, insertions of tendons and ligaments, meninsci of stifle joint
Type 1 collagen fibers
No perichondrium
