Cartilage

cartilage

Cartilage

type of connective tissue

• found on the surface of bones at joints. different forms found on the nose, larynx, and outer ear.

Matrix, its features- what are the things that set it apart?

• is made up of chondrin (protein-carbohydrate complex)

• contains many collagen fibres embedded in the chondrin

• the size and arrangement of these fibres gives the different types of cartilage different properties

• is firm, meaning it can operate as support but maintains flexibility

Microscopic structure of catilage

• chondroblasts

• chondrocytes

• lacunae

mature cartilage cells

chondrocytes

chondroblasts

• an immature cartilage cell

• produces the matrix +

• surrounds itself with the matrix.

Lacunae

• chondroblasts become trapped in the matrix

• this space is called the lacunae

Features of cartilage

• avascular

• a lot of intercellular material

• diffusion occurs to transport nutrients + molecules

• perichondrium

perichondrium

fibrous membrane that covers the external surface of the cartilage- contains blood vessels.

How are nutrients transported ? Why?

• there are no blood vessels

• nutrients are transported through the matrix using diffusion

• slow process (due to a lot of intercellular material/ matrix)

what is the result of the transport of nutrients through the matrix?

• diffusion rate is slow=

• metabolism and cell division is slow.

• resulting in a long time taken to heal

Types of cartilage

Hyaline cartilage

Elastic cartilage

Fibro cartilage

Hyaline Cartilage (features + where it is found)

• thin collagen fibers closely packed together, in such a way that they are indistinguishable from one another.

• looks like a smooth surface

  • very flexible

  • found in the rings of the trachea and bronchi

  • anywhere 2 bones meet to form moveable joint

Elastic Cartilage (features + where it is found)

• consists of elastic and collagen fibres

• not as closely packed together like hyaline cartilage

• provides:

  • flexible, elastic support

• Found in external ear and epiglottis provides:

Fibrocartilage (features and where it’s found)

• thick collagen fibres

• not as densely packed like hyaline cartilage

  • allows for compression

• provides cushioning for regions where the weight of body is being supported/ withstanding pressure

• found:

  • intervertebral discs in spinal column

  • meniscus of knee joint

  • tissues that join the 2 sides of the pelvis