Lecture 4.1: Cartilage and Bone Flashcards
What is Cartilage?
A form of connective tissue
Where is Cartilage found?
In nearly all joints
In structures that must be deformable and strong
Cartilage forms a template for the development of many bones in utero
General characteristics of Cartilage
Pliant
Resists compression
Avascular
Not innervated
Comprised of two cell types: chondroblasts and chondrocytes which produce
ECM
Types of Cartilage (3)
1) Hyaline Cartilage
2) Elastic Cartilage
3) Fibrocartilage
Hyaline Cartilage
ECM contains:
- Proteoglycans
- Hyaluronic acid
- Type II collagen
Elastic Cartilage
Similar to hyaline cartilage
But it also contains many elastic fibres
Fibrocartilage
Similar to hyaline cartilage
But matrix contains abundant type I collagen fibres
Comprised of dense regular connective tissue and hyaline cartilage
Contains fibroblasts and chondrocytes
Location of Hyaline Cartilage
Articular cartilage covers the ends of most bones and movable joints
Costal cartilages connect ribs to sternum
Larynx and trachea
Features of Hyaline Cartilage
It is is covered by a fibrous perichondrium (except at the articular surfaces of synovial joints)
Large amounts of hyaluronic acid means that hyaline cartilage is well hydrated
It is pliable and resilient under pressure
Large ratio of GAGs to collagen in the ECM facilitates diffusion of substances between chondrocytes and blood vessels surrounding the cartilage
Articular Cartilage has no perichondrium. Where does it get its nutrients from?
The surrounding joint fluid
The Extracellular Matrix (ECM) of Hyaline Cartilage
Comprised of type II collagen, water and ground substance (GAGs such as
hyaluronic acid and proteoglycans)
Hyaluronate proteoglycan aggregates are resistant to deformation
Negative charges on surface of GAGs strongly attract polarised H2O molecules forming a hydrated gel.
Appositional Growth
The increase in the diameter of bones by the addition of bony tissue at the surface of bones
Interstitial Growth
Interstitial growth is a bone growth which results in the lengthening of the bone
This growth occurs within the lacunae
Perichondrium
A dense layer of fibrous connective tissue that covers cartilage
Osteoarthritis
The most common form of arthritis, prevalence increasing with age
Results from focal and progressive hyaline articular cartilage loss with changes in underlying bone; Soft tissue structures in and around the joint also affected
Severe joint injury has a high likelihood of eventual osteoarthritis, likewise obesity increases the risk.
Growth Plates
Hyaline cartilage forms epiphyseal growth plates at the metaphysis of bones
This is where chondrocytes undergo a sequence of cell division and hypertrophy, followed by death and ossification by invading osteoblasts
Locations of Elastic Cartilage
External ear (pinna)
External acoustic meatus
Auditory tube
Epiglottis
Locations of Fibrocartilage
• Intervertebral discs
• Articular discs of the sternoclavicular and
temporomandibular joints
• Menisci of the knee
• Pubic symphysis
• Entheses (between tendon and bone)
Fibrocartilage in an Intervertebral Disc
Annulus fibrosus (tough circular exterior of the intervertebral disc), chondrocyes in lacunae are embedded in large bundles of type I collagen fibres
Meniscal Damage
The menisci of the knee are formed of fibrocartilage discs separating femur and tibia.
Menisci prevent degeneration of articular cartilage underneath