Cartilage Flashcards
Describe cartilage.
Semi-rigid, flexible CT.
Supports tissues and organs.
A scaffold for bone development.
High mechanical strength.
What does cartilage not have?
Blood vessels (avascular).
This makes regeneration slower.
Nerves (aneural).
What is cartilage made of?
Chondroblasts.
Chondrocytes.
ECM - water, Type II collagen, elastin fibres.
What is the structure of chondroblasts?
Immature cells.
Derived from mesenchyme cells.
Small, flat and irregular shaped.
What is the function of chondroblasts?
Secretes ECM and fibres.
Enlarges with age.
What is the structure of chondrocytes?
Mature cells.
Derived from chondroblasts that have surrounded themselves in matrix.
Grouped in lacunae.
What is the function of chondrocytes?
Secretes ECM (but less than chondroblasts).
Describe some molecules found in the ECM of cartilage.
GAGs - highly polar and attracts water.
Proteoglycans - high compressive strength.
Glycoproteins - lubrication.
Describe hyaline cartilage.
Found in articular cartilage, bronchi, and growth plates.
Glassy appearance.
The weakest type of cartilage.
Describe fibrocartilage.
Found in joint capsules, ligaments and tendons.
Alternating layers of hyaline cartilage matrix and dense bundles of collagen.
The strongest type of cartilage.
Describe elastic cartilage.
Found in the larynx and epiglottis.
Flexible and resilient.
Contains elastic and collagen fibres.
How does cartilage get nutrition?
Cartilage channels.
Most cartilage cells are far from a vascular supply and will use diffusion from perichondral cells.
Articular cartilage gets nutrition from synovial fluid.
What covers most cartilage?
The perichondrium.
Describe the thickness of cartilage.
Limited to a few mm, due to nutrition.
Related to the force acting on the cartilage.
How does ageing affect cartilage?
Water content decreases.
Reduces shock absorption.
Less protection of articular surfaces.
