Unit 2-Cartilage

Question 1

General characteristics of cartilage?

Answer 1

Made of connective tissue
Collagen fibres embedded in protein- carbohydrate complex (“chondrin”)
Chondrin makes cartilage strong and flexible
Chondroblasts (building) makes the chondrin. Chondrins are embedded in the matrix in the spaces.

Question 2

Location of cartilage?

Answer 2

Between joints
Nose
Ears
Between vertebrae
Bronchial tubes

Question 3

Important info about cartilage?

Answer 3

Avascular- no blood vessels. Hence WHITE
Blood supply to cartilage via vessels in the PERICHONDRIUM (outside layer)
Nutrients and wastes diffuse through the matrix, through the perichondrium.

Question 4

What does cartilage NOT contain? What does this cause?

Answer 4

No blood vessels
Blood supply must be obtained through the perichondrium. This causes slow metabolism and growth of cartilage. Long time to heal.

Question 5

Purpose of cartilage as a whole?

Answer 5

Shock absorption
Protect bones
Support
Resistance to compression 
Allows for bone growth
Reduces friction at joints

Question 6

Hyaline cartilage

Answer 6

Location- ends of ribs, rings of trachea, bronchi and nose

Structure- most abundant. Tightly packed collagen fibres. Fine, non distinguishable fibres. Semi transparent bluish, glossy appearance. Has perichondrium.

Function- covers articulate surface of bone. Reduces friction. Forms inns in trachea. Strong (weaker than other types). Flexible

Question 7

Elastic cartilage

Answer 7

Location- gives form to ear, epiglottis, tubes in ear, nasal cavity

Structure- elastin fibres. Collagen fibres, not as tightly packed. Has a perichondrium. Yellowish colour.

Function- elastic, flexible, firm

Question 8

Fibrocartilage

Answer 8

Location- intervertebral disks, point of attachment of some large tendons to bones. Areas of HIGH impacts. Knees, back, pelvis

Structure- course appearance—>collagen fibres thickly bundled, NOT compact, can slightly compress. Does not have a perichondrium. Usually a transition layer between other cartilage/ ligament.

Function- strongest cartilage, absorbed energy, protects bones of high impact, greatest tensile strength

Question 9

Ligaments

Answer 9

Structure- Made from fibrocytes
Tough/ fibrous
Dense bands of collagen fibres
Anchored to bone at either end (insertions)
If white= collagen dense. If yellow= elastin fibres
Function- connects two bones, joints
Stabilises joints/ adds structure
Helps guide joints through normal range of motions
Protects bones and joints

Question 10

Tendons

Answer 10

Structure- Fibrocytes
Parallel collagenous fibres
Elastin fibres
White
Function- attaches muscles to bone/ to other structures
Flexible/ tough
Transmits mechanical force of muscle contraction to bones- helps movement.