Cartilage Lecture Notes

Flashcards for reviewing key vocabulary and concepts from the Cartilage lecture.

STRUCTURE (Function of Bone)

Gives structure and shape to the body

MECHANICAL (Function of Bone)

Sites for muscle attachment

PROTECTIVE (Function of Bone)

Protects vital organs and bone marrow

METABOLIC (Function of Bone)

Reserve of calcium and other minerals

INORGANIC COMPONENT OF BONE

65% of bone; calcium hydroxyapatite

ORGANIC COMPONENT OF BONE

35% of bone; bone cells and protein matrix

STRUCTURE (Function of Cartilage)

Gives some tissues their structure and shape

MECHANICAL (Function of Cartilage)

Allows smooth moving of bones at joints; reduces friction

PROTECTIVE (Function of Cartilage)

Shock absorption/cushioning

DEVELOPMENT (Function of Cartilage)

Endochondral ossification

INORGANIC COMPONENT OF CARTILAGE

Calcified cartilage at the bone to cartilage interface in the growth plate

ORGANIC COMPONENT OF CARTILAGE

Mainly water, Collagen Type II, proteoglycans, chondrocytes and other collagens

Why is a mostly cartilage skeleton needed in utero?

To allow flexibility of the skeleton during birth and rapid growth

Three Different Types of Cartilage

Hyaline cartilage, Fibrocartilage, and Elastic cartilage

Hyaline Cartilage

Most abundant type of cartilage; forms the cartilage framework for the skeleton

Where is Hyaline Cartilage Found?

Articular cartilage, ribs, nose, and walls of the respiratory passages

Articular Cartilage

Organized into zones distinguished by differences in the orientation of Collagen type II fibres

Where is Fibrocartilage Found?

Intravertebral discs, meniscus, and ligament attachment sites

Fibrocartilage

Stronger and more resistant to forces than hyaline cartilage; cushion/shock absorption function

What does Fibrocartilage Contain?

Type I collagen bundles in addition to type II fibres

Where is Elastic Cartilage Found?

Ears, epiglottis and larynx

Elastic Cartilage

More elastic and flexible due to the presence of elastin fibres

What kind of collagen is contained in elastic cartilage?

Collagen type II fibers

Bone Characteristics

Hard and with limited flexibility; matrix is both inorganic and organic; rich blood supply

Cartilage Characteristics

Relatively soft and flexible; matrix is only organic; no blood supply

Type of cartilage found in early fetal long bones

Transient hyaline cartilage

What is found in the early fetal long bone extracellular matrix?

Water, Collage Type II, Proteoglycans

Type of Chondrocytes found in the diaphysis (Endochondral ossification)

Hypertrophic

What do chondrocytes produce to allow the start of ossification? (Endochondral ossification)

VEGF, Collage Type X

When do we observe secondary ossification? (Endochondral ossification)

Birth to mid 20s

How is the secondary ossification centre formed? (Endochondral ossification)

Chondrocytes become hypertrophic and express VEGF and Col X.

How are the Chondrocytes organised in the growth plate? (Endochondral ossification)

Resting/reserve zone, Proliferative zone, Hypertrophic zone

How does the growth plate allow longitudinal growth? (Endochondral ossification)

Proliferation of chondrocytes, Hypertrophic cells apoptose, Calcified cartilage ossified by bone cells

Types of cartilage

Hyaline, fibrocartilage, or elastic

does cartilage have mineral metabolism function?

No mineral metabolism function