Cartilage Flashcards
(17 cards)
which structure provides cartilage with tensile strength
collagen
describe aggrecan
protein core
many substituted chondroitin GAG chains
-ve charged core draws in water
which amino acids are highly important to collagens polypeptide chain
glycine and proline
what does aggrecan interact with to form large proteoglycan aggregates
hyaluronic acid
describe chondrocyte development
from immature mesenchymal cells
involved in growth plate development
describe a mature chondrocytes histological appearance
round, eosinophilic cytoplasm
central nucleus - hyperchromatic
overview the role of chondrocytes
development and maintenance of cartilage matrix
mediate regeneration pathways
control growth
what allows for direct interaction between chondrocytes and the ECM
cell surface receptors
e.g. integrins
describe hyaline cartilage
resists compressive forces
found in outer NP
80% water, 10% collagen, 8% proteoglycans
perichondrium covering
describe fibrocartilage
type I collagen - tensile force
75% water, 20% collagen
labrums, menisci, AF
describe elastic cartilage
ligamentum flavum
tensile force resistance
elastin
perichondral covering
what are the two pathways for early hyaline cartilage
endochondral ossification -> bone
persist on articular surfaces -> articular cartilage
describe the histology of fibrocartilage
type I collagen fibres
chondrocytes between parallel fibres
describe the histology of elastic cartilage
1-2 chondrocytes per lacuna
densely packed cells
describe the cartilage of the facet joints
superior - slightly concave
inferior - slightly convex
1mm depth
describe the histology of the CEP
thickest at periphery
variable collagen alignment
compressed trabecular bone
structured similar to articular cartilage
what may occur in severe cases of chondrosarcomas of the spine
pathological fractures
