SM 218: Cartilage Histology

Question 1

What is Cartilage?

Answer 1

Cartilage is a rubbery, flexible matrix that covers the end of bones

Question 2

What type of tissue is Cartilage?

Answer 2

Cartilage is a type of Connective Tissue

Question 3

What are the general functions of Cartilage?

Answer 3

Support the body, articulate joints, attachment site for muscles and precursor for bone development

Question 4

What are the two components of Cartilage?

Answer 4

Cellular and extracellular matrix

Question 5

What makes up the cellular component of Cartilage?

Answer 5

Cells called chondrocytes, which produce the extracellular matrix

Question 6

What is the extracellular component of Cartilage?

Answer 6

The extracellular matrix, produced by chondrocytes

Question 7

What are the 3 types of Cartilage?

Answer 7

Hyaline, Elastic, and Fibrocartilage

Question 8

Which type of Cartilage is most prevalent?

Answer 8

Hyaline cartilage is the most prevalent type of cartilage

Question 9

What makes up the extracellular matrix of Hyaline cartilage?

Answer 9

Type II collagen and proteoglycans

Question 10

Where is Hyaline cartilage most commonly found?

Answer 10

Respiratory tract, nose

Question 11

What type of fibers are found in the extracellular matrix of Elastic cartilage?

Answer 11

Elastic fibers

Question 12

Where is Elastic cartilage found?

Answer 12

Elastic cartilage is found in the epiglottis and the external ear

Question 13

What type of fibers make up the extracellular matrix of Fibrocartilage?

Answer 13

Type I collagen, found in thick bundles in the extracellular matrix

Question 14

What type of cartilage does Type II collagen contribute to?

Answer 14

Type II = Hyaline

Question 15

What type of cartilage does Type I collagen contribute to?

Answer 15

Type I = Fibrocartilage

Question 16

What is the common proteoglycan found in Hyaline cartilage?

Answer 16

Hyalurinic acid

Question 17

Where is Fibrocartilage found?

Answer 17

Intevertebral disks and meniscus

Question 18

What is the Perichondrium?

Answer 18

Dense connective tissue that surrounds cartilage

Question 19

Where is Perichondrium not found?

Answer 19

Perichondrium is absent in joints

Question 20

What are Chondrocytes?

Answer 20

Chondrocytes are mature cartilage cells in spaces within the extracellular matrix known as lacunar spaces

Question 21

What are Lacunar spaces?

Answer 21

Gaps in the extracellular spaces that hold Chondrocytes

Question 22

What are Isogenous groups?

Answer 22

Newly formed clusters of Chondrocytes derived from the same parent cell

Question 23

What is Territorial matrix?

Answer 23

A type of newly secreted extracellular matrix found around Isogenous groups

Question 24

What is Interterritorial matrix?

Answer 24

A type of older extracellular matrix between Chondrocytes

Question 25

Which is older, Interterritorial matrix or Territorial matrix?

Answer 25

Interterritorial matrix is older

Question 26

Which is younger, Territorial matrix or Interterritorial matrix?

Answer 26

Territorial matrix is younger

Question 27

Which is associated with Isogenous groups, Territorial or Interterritorial matrix?

Answer 27

Territorial matrix is younger and associated with newly formed Chondrocytes in Isogenous groups

Question 28

What is the major component of Cartilage?

Answer 28

Water (60%)

Question 29

How do water and GAG's contribute to Cartilage?

Answer 29

GAG's have negative charges that interact with water to provide viscosity, strength, and flexibility

Question 30

What is the major GAG?

Answer 30

Hyaluronic Acid

Question 31

What attaches cells to the extracellular matrix of Collagen?

Answer 31

Structural glycoproteins

Question 32

What do structural glycoproteins do in Collagen?

Answer 32

Structural Glycoproteins attach cells to the extracellular matrix

Question 33

What embryonic layer forms Cartilage?

Answer 33

Mesoderm

Question 34

What composes most embryonic bones?

Answer 34

Cartilage

Question 35

What is endocondral ossification?

Answer 35

The process of Cartilage become bone in most bones, where Cartilage is systematically replaced by bone, except in the flat bones of the skull

Question 36

What is intramembranous ossification?

Answer 36

The process of direct development of mesenchymal tissue into bone, occurring mainly in the flat bones of the skull

Question 37

What process forms the long bones?

Answer 37

Endochondral ossification

Question 38

What process forms the flat bones of the skull?

Answer 38

Intramembranous ossification

Question 39

What are the zones of endochondral ossification?

Answer 39

The 3 zones are: Zone of Proliferation = rapidly dividing chondrocytes Zone of Hypertrophy = hypertrophy before calcify Zone of Ossification = calcium deposits + osteoblasts

Question 40

What occurs in the Zone of proliferation?

Answer 40

Chondrocytes rapidly divide

Question 41

What occurs in the Zone of hypertrophy?

Answer 41

Chondrocytes rapidly grow larger

Question 42

What occurs in the Zone of ossification?

Answer 42

Calcium starts to deposit, allowing for Cartilage to become bone, and Osteoblasts move in

Question 43

Which zone of Cartilage involves mitosis?

Answer 43

Zone of proliferation

Question 44

Which zone of Cartilage contains bone forming cells?

Answer 44

Zone of ossification (Osteoblasts)

Question 45

Which type of Cartilage has a homogenous appearing matrix?

Answer 45

Hyaline cartilage, because there are no fibers in the matrix

Question 46

What is this and where is it found?

Answer 46

Hyaline cartilage due to homogenous matrix without fibers Found at the ends of bones, nose, and respiratory tract

Question 47

What is this and where is it found?

Answer 47

Elastic cartilage due to the thin fibers in the matrix Found in the Epiglottis

Question 48

What is this and where is it found?

Answer 48

Elastic cartilage due to the thin fibers running between cells Found in the Epiglottis

Question 49

What is this and where is it found?

Answer 49

Fibrocartilage due to the layers of collagen between cells Found in vertebral disks to resist compressive forces, as opposed to tension forces like other Collagen

Question 50

What is this and where is it found?

Answer 50

Fibrocartilage due to the layers of collagen between cells Found in vertebral disks to resist compressive forces, as opposed to tension forces like other Collagen

Question 51

Which form of Cartilage is associated with a "Herringbone" pattern?

Answer 51

Fibrocartilage, because the alternating layers of collagen makes a Chevron appearance

Question 52

What is the yellow arrow point to?

Answer 52

Isogenous groups

Question 53

What is the upper blue arrow pointing to?

Answer 53

Lacunar space, where a Chondrocyte would be found

Question 54

What types of Cartilage cells are these?

Answer 54

Chondroblasts, found in a fetus, because they are so numerous = immature chondrocytes

Question 55

What are the 4 layers from right to left?

Answer 55

Rightmost: Reserve Cartilage Zone of Proliferation Zone of Hypertrophy Leftmost: Zone of Ossification