Week 2 - Cartilage Flashcards
What makes up articular catilage?
- 65-90% water
- fibres (Type II collagen)
- GAGs
- chondrocytes
Where does the nourishment for articular cartilage come from?
Synovial fluid
(no blood supply)
What element of articular cartilage is responsible for compressive strength?
GAGs
What is an aggrecan?
- where is it located?
Aggrecan = hydrophilic molecule which consists of GAGs (Keratan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid)
- embedded within the extracellular collagen matrix
What are the three types of cartilage?
Hyaline cartilage
Elastic cartilage
Fibrocartilage
What type of collagen forms elastic cartilage?
Elastin
What type of collagen forms articular cartilage?
Type II collagen
What type of collagen forms fibrocartilage?
Type I collagen
Where is fibrocartilage found in the body?
Meniscus of knee;
Labrum of shoulder and hip
What are tendons?
tissues that cross a joint and join muscle to bone
What type of collagen forms tendons?
Type I and Type II collagen
What are the general functions of cartilage?
- sliding
- shock absorber (ex. intervertebral disk)
- flexible support for soft tissues
- growth of bones
Where is hyaline cartilage found?
ribs trachea/bronchi joint surfaces physis skull sutures
Where is elastic cartilage found?
Epiglottis
Ear/External auditory meatus
Eustachian tube
Where is fibrocartilage found?
meniscus
intervertebral disks
tendinous intersections with muscle
