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The Locomotor System > The Physiology of Cartilage > Flashcards

The Physiology of Cartilage Flashcards

1
Q

What are the three types of cartilage

A

Hyaline (articular), fibrocartilage, elastic cartilage.

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2
Q

Where can hyaline cartilage be found

A

On the surfaces of moveable joints.

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3
Q

Which kind of forces can hyaline cartilage withstand

A

Compressive and tensile forces. It is load bearing.

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4
Q

What is the basketweave structure of collagen in hyaline cartilage

A

Hype two collagen linked by type nine collagen.

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5
Q

What is the appearance of chondrocytes in cartilage

A

They appear flat at the surface and rounded in the deep layers.

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6
Q

What is the role of chondrocytes

A

Chondrocytes are responsible for the synthesis and breakdown of ECM components in cartilage.

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7
Q

What is synthesised and secreted by chondrocytes into the ECM

A

Cartilage specific components such as type II collagen and aggrecan.

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8
Q

Are chondrocytes stable or unstable

A

Chondrocytes are unstable cells as they want to becomes fibroblasts - this would allow them to synthesise type I collagen and small PGs as opposed to type II collagen and aggrecan.

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9
Q

What type of enzymes are secreted by chondrocytes

A

Degradative enzymes such as collagenases, matrix metalloproteinases cathepsins.

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10
Q

Where can fibrocartilage be found

A

The meniscus and the intervertebral disc.

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11
Q

What are the roles of fibrocartilage

A

Support, prevention of bone to bone contact, spread of the load and limitation of movement.

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12
Q

What forces can fibrocartilage withstand

A

Tensile and compressive forces.

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13
Q

What is the orientation of collagen fibres in fibrocartilage

A

Collagen fibres are thick and have a clear parallel orientation and structure. Cells are often in rows.

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14
Q

Which types of cells - fibroblasts or chondrocytes - are present mostly in fibrocartilage

A

It is mainly fibroblasts however there are some chondrocytes.

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15
Q

Where can elastic cartilage be found

A

The auricle of the ear and the epiglottis

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16
Q

What is present in high contents in elastic cartilage

A

Elastin fibres

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17
Q

How does elastin in elastic cartilage show up in histology

A

Elastin shows up black in histology

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18
Q

What type of movement does elastic cartilage allow

A

Elastic cartilage is very good for flexible movement however is not good for load bearing.

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19
Q

Which types of cell synthesise elastin

A

Fibroblasts.

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20
Q

What are the roles of articular cartilage

A

To absorb and distribute load and protect the ends of bones. Along with synovial fluid it also creates a low friction surface for articulating joints.

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21
Q

What does synovial fluid contain

A

Hyaluronic acid.

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22
Q

Which cells produce synovial fluid

A

Synoviocytes of the synovial membrane.

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23
Q

What is the role of synovial fluid

A

Synovial fluid is the primary source of nutrition and removal of waste for cartilage cells.

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24
Q

What is the consistency of synovial fluid

A

When the joint is immobile, synovial fluid is viscous. When mobile, the viscosity is reduced to lubricate the joint.

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25
Q

What is the name of a condition in which the immune system attacks the synovium of joints

A

Rheumatoid arthritis.

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26
Q

What do connective tissues respond to

A

Their mechanical environment - they are not inert but living.

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27
Q

What makes cartilage thicker

A

Load bearing cartilage is ticker and stronger than non-load bearing cartilage.

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28
Q

What happens to cartilage in immobilised joints

A

Cartilage is lost because the cells are not receiving signals from the mechanical environment.

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29
Q

What is Wolff’s Law

A

“Form follows function” - if there is different load/mechanical stimulation on a joint this will affect its appearance.

30
Q

How much movement is required per day to avoid disuse OP

A

Four cycles of strain per day - very little strain is needed to avoid disuse OP.

31
Q

What is the function of a tendon

A

Connects muscle to bone

32
Q

What is the function of a ligament

A

Connects bone to bone.

33
Q

Where in a tendon may there be more proteoglycans

A

Where there is more compressive force applied, so when the tendon crosses a bone. If there is only tensile force there will be less PGs.

34
Q

Which has a higher percentage of collagen, ligaments or tendons?

A

Tendons have a higher percentage of collagen compared to ligaments (more tensile forces)

35
Q

Which has a higher percentage of proteoglycans, ligaments or tendons?

A

Ligaments have a higher percentage of proteoglycans compared to tendons (more compressive forces)

36
Q

Which has more elastin, tendons or ligaments

A

Ligaments

37
Q

What type of collagen has a higher percentage in both tendons and ligaments

A

Type I collagen.

38
Q

What is cartilage thickness dependent on

A

Prevailing load

39
Q

What is the result of excess or impact load

A

Matric damage and chondrocyte death.

40
Q

What is the ratio of synthesis to break down in normal dynamic loading

A

Synthesis = breakdown normally

41
Q

What is the relationship between synthesis and breakdown if there is greater loading

A

There is more synthesis than breakdown (synthesis > breakdown)

42
Q

What is the relationship between synthesis and breakdown if there is less loading

A

There is more breakdown than synthesis (breakdown > synthesis)

43
Q

Which cells control matrix synthesis and breakdown

A

Chondrocytes,

44
Q

What are the two types of load on chondrocytes

A

Static and dynamic.

45
Q

What is the relationship between static load and synthesis

A

Static load depresses synthesis.

46
Q

What is the relationship between dynamic load and synthesis

A

Dynamic load stimulates synthesis.

47
Q

What is mechanotransduction

A

The link between the mechanical environment of the cell and the cells response.

48
Q

How is cartilage adapted to withstand load

A

It does not contain any vulnerable structures - it is avascular, aneural, alymphatic so blood vessels, nerves and lymphatic vessels cannot be damaged, and there is low cell density to cells do not become compressed.

49
Q

What are the four principle components of articular cartilage

A

1) collagens
2) proteoglycans
3) interstitial fluid
4) chondrocytes.

50
Q

What is the main type of collagen in hyaline cartilage

A

Type II

51
Q

What is the main type of collagen in fibrocartilage

A

Type I

52
Q

What type of collagen stabilises the basketweave structure of hyaline cartilage

A

Type 9

53
Q

What is an example of a proteoglycan

A

Aggrecan

54
Q

What is aggrecan composed of

A

Glucosaminoglycans (GAGs)

55
Q

What is the charge of proteoglycans

A

Negatively charged

56
Q

What does the negative charge of proteoglycans bring about

A

The negative charge attracts cations, particularly sodium ions, to the cartilage. This brings water with it and causes the proteoglycans to swell.

57
Q

To what percentage of their total do proteoglycans swell when in the basketweave structure

A

20%

58
Q

What is the result of papain treatment on cartilage

A

It causes chondrocytes to produce degragatory enzymes which damages proteoglycans.

59
Q

What is the string and balloon model of articular cartilage

A

Type two collagen is stabilised by type nine collagen. The basketweave structure contains partially inflated PGs. There is lots of positive pressure.

60
Q

What happens to the PGs if the collagen structure becomes damaged

A

The PGs inflate more.

61
Q

What is the composition of the interstitial fluid dependent on

A

Proteoglycans as these are negatively charged so attract positive cations and repel negative anions.

62
Q

What causes the composition of interstitial fluid to change

A

Different loads. It changes during static load as fluid is extruded.

63
Q

What is the single resident cell type in hyaline cartilage

A

Chondrocytes.

64
Q

When do chondrocytes proliferate

A

In the late stages of OA. In normal, healthy cartilage there is no chondrocyte division.

65
Q

What is the rate of turnover of articular cartilage

A

Very slow.

66
Q

Why would osteoarthritis be better termed osteoarthrosis

A

Because the condition is not initially inflammatory - it only becomes inflammatory in the late stages.

67
Q

Is osteoarthritis considered a disease or a syndrome

A

A syndrome because it is a multifactorial condition - there are many factors which contribute.

68
Q

What are the treatments for osteoarthritis

A
  • Education
  • “Prescription of exercise”
  • Weight loss
69
Q

What is the first macroscopic event in OA

A

Cartilage swelling - the cartilage becomes more hydrated.

70
Q

How is OA cartilage different from aged cartilage

A

OA cartilage becomes more hydrated while age causes cartilage to become dehydrated.

71
Q

Why does cartilage become more hydrated in OA

A

Because there is damage to the collagen basketweave structure which means more water is allowed to enter and the proteoglycans swell more. The cartilage becomes mechanically weakened.

The Locomotor System (13 decks)

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