cartilage

what is cartilage?

The body’s natural shock absorber like a rubbery cushion to protect your bones from grinding against each other

What are the 3 types of cartilage?

Hyaline cartilage, fibrocartilage, elastic cartilage

Hyaline cartilage (it’s on 3 things)

1. Most common type

2. It caps the ends of long bones in moveable joints

3. Tip of your nose

4. Attaches ribs to sternum

Fibrocartilage (found in 2 places)

1. Tough and made to withstand heavy pressure

2. In the discs between your vertebrae and MENISCUS in your knee

Elastic cartilage

1. Bend and springs back to shape

2. Like outer ear (pinna / auricle) and epiglottis

Perichondrium

A membrane that Surrounds MOST cartilage (except joint surfaces)

It nourishes the cartilage like periosteum

Does cartilage have blood supply or nerves?

No, cartilage is avascular meaning no blood supply. This means healing is very poor or REALLY slow. There are cells called chondrocytes that try to soak up nutrient from surrounding fluid to help nourish.

If cartilage is so worn down, it won’t heal. This is when joints need replaced!

What does cartilage benefit from?

Weight baring and joint movement! Movement helps prevent cartilage from becoming thin/damaged