Supportive Connective Tissue: Cartilage Types and Structures

Vocabulary flashcards covering the characteristics, cellular organization, and anatomical locations of hyaline, elastic, and fibrous cartilage.

Cartilage

A supportive connective tissue characterized by a flexible, gel-like extracellular matrix secreted by chondrocytes.

Chondrocytes

The specialized cells in cartilage that secrete the gel-like extracellular matrix and reside inside lacunae.

Lacunae

The small spaces or holes within the extracellular matrix in which chondrocytes reside.

Hyaline cartilage

A type of cartilage with clumps of multiple cells in lacunae, found between the ribs and sternum and on articular surfaces of bones around synovial joints.

Elastic cartilage

A flexible cartilage containing elastic fibers in its matrix and single cells in individual lacunae; forms the external ear, auditory tube, and parts of the voice box.

Elastic fibers

Components of the extracellular matrix found in elastic cartilage that are not really present in hyaline or fibrous cartilage.

Fibrous cartilage

A stiff, non-moving type of cartilage featuring chondrocytes arranged in stacks within lacunae, found in the meniscus, pubis synthesis, and intervertebral discs.

Meniscus

Pads located in the knee joints that are composed of fibrous cartilage.

Pubis synthesis

The stiff cartilage connection between pelvic bones made of fibrous cartilage.

Intervertebral disc

A stiff skeletal structure positioned between spinal vertebrae, composed of fibrous cartilage.