Cartilage Histology

Question 1

What does cartilage not have

Answer 1

Nerve supply, lymphatics, it is avascular

Question 2

What is the function of cartilage

Answer 2

Provides support
Withstands deformation 
Shock absorber
Permit/reduces friction at joints
Model for bone growth
Fracture repair

Question 3

What do chondroblasts do?

Answer 3

Secrete cartilage matrix

They have mitotic abilities

Question 4

What do chondrocytes do?

Answer 4

They are mature cartilage cells found in lacunae

They are surrounded by and maintain the matrix

Question 5

What is cartilage predominantly made of?

Answer 5

Type 2 collagen but fibrocartilage and outer perichondrium contain type 1

Question 6

The ground substance of cartilage matrix is made of

Answer 6

Hyaluronic acid
Chondroitin sulfate
Keratin sulfate
Aggrecan

Question 7

Hyaline cartilage is surrounded by what

Answer 7

Perichondrium

Question 8

What kind of collagen is in hyaline cartilage

Answer 8

Type 2

Question 9

Where is hyaline cartilage found

Answer 9

Articular cartilage, nasal septum, larynx, trachea, bronchi, embryonic development, ribs

Question 10

What is elastic cartilage made of

Answer 10

Type 2 collagen

Question 11

What surrounds elastic cartilage?

Answer 11

Perichondrium

Question 12

Where is elastic cartilage found?

Answer 12

External ear, epiglottis, auditory tube

Question 13

What is fibrocartilage like?

Answer 13

Hyaline cartilage and dense regular cartilage

Question 14

What surrounds fibrocartilage

Answer 14

(Lacks perichondrium)

Question 15

What is the primary type of collagen in fibrocartilage

Answer 15

Type 1

Question 16

Where is fibrocartilage found?

Answer 16

Intervertebral discs, pubic symphysis, TMJ

Question 17

What is hyaline cartilage made of

Answer 17

It is gel-like and amorphous but heterogenous

Question 18

What makes articular cartilage different from hyaline cartilage

Answer 18

Articular lacks a perichondrium

Question 19

What are the growth plates made of

Answer 19

Hyaline cartilage

Question 20

What is the territorial matrix?

Answer 20

Moderately staining
Consists of randomly arranged type 2 collagen
Lots of proteoglycans

Question 21

What is the interterritorial membrane

Answer 21

Surrounds the territorial matrix

Stains less intensely and has more collagen 2 and fewer proteoglycans

Question 22

What is the outer layer of the perichondrium like?

Answer 22

It is the outer fibrous layer
Contains fibroblasts
Produces type 1 collagen and elastin
Transitional zone between cartilage and surrounding CT

Question 23

What is the inner chondrogenic layer

Answer 23

It is the inner layer of the perichondrium that differentiates into chondroblasts that secrete type 2 collagen

Question 24

What is elastic cartillage

Answer 24

It is similar to hyaline cartilage has elastic fibers within matrix
Surrounded by a perichondrium
Retains shape

Question 25

Fibrocartilage is made of what

Answer 25

Type 1 and 2 collagen

Question 26

How are chondrocytes arranged in fibrocartilage

Answer 26

They are arranged in columns to deal with functional stress

Question 27

Where is fibrocartilage found?

Answer 27

Meniscus, intervertebral space, pubic symphysis

Question 28

What are some unique properties about fibrocartilage

Answer 28

It lacks a perichondrium and it is opaque

Question 29

What are the two types of cartilage growth

Answer 29

Appositional and interstitial

Question 30

Where does appositional and interstitial growth take place?

Answer 30

A-forms new cartilage on surface of pre-existing cartilage | I-takes place within cartilage mass itself

Question 31

Where does appositional and interstitial growth take place?

Answer 31

A-within inner layer of the perichondrium I-chrondrocytes divide within lacunae, creating isogenous groups

Question 32

What causes appositional and interstitial growth to take place?

Answer 32

A-chondrogenic cells produce collagen 1 | I-new chondrocytes secrete more matrix, which increases overall mass of cartilage

Question 33

How do appositional and interstitial growth take place

Answer 33

A-after growth is initiated, cells become chondroblasts and secrete collagen 2 and ground substances I-overall growth due to secretion of new matrix and is limited by avascular nature

Question 34

Describe cartilage repair

Answer 34

Formation of repair cartilage (intermediate of hyaline and fibrous cartilage (contains type 1 and 2 cartilage)) Cartilage is also replaced by dense connective tissue or bone

Question 35

The more mobile a joint is _____________

Answer 35

The less stabile it is

Question 36

What the gradations of joint based on movement

Answer 36

Synarthroses - little to no movement Amphiarthroses - slightly movable Diarthroses - freely moving (synovial joints)

Question 37

What are type A macrophage like synovial cells

Answer 37

They are phagocytic Contain lysosomes to clear articular cavity of debris Make up 25% of cells lining the synovium Regulate inflammatory events

Question 38

What are type b fibroblasts

Answer 38

They produce synovial fluid (plasma filtrate) Produce hyaluronate that combines with synovial fluid Lubricates and nourishes the articular cartilage

Question 39

What are the layers of articular cartilage

Answer 39

Tangental, transitional, radial, calcified cartilage

Question 40

What is the tangental layer like?

Answer 40

Small chondracytes Superficial layer devoid of cells Collagen fibers run parallel to surface

Question 41

What is the transitional layer

Answer 41

Slightly larger and rounder chondrocytes than the tangental, occur both alone and in isogenous groups, collagen fibers are on the diagonal, this is the largest layer

Question 42

What is the radial layer?

Answer 42

Large chondrocytes that form radial columns, stacks are perpendicular to surface, collagen fibers follow the arrangement

Question 43

What is calcified cartilage

Answer 43

Rests on underlying cortex of bone, matrix of calcified cartilage stains darker and allows blending with bone

Question 44

What are the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis?

Answer 44

Pain, tenderness, limited ROM, swelling, joint deformity All due to the level of break down of cartilage