Test 2 Flashcards
what kind of tissue is cartilage and what does it contain?
cartilage is a specialized connective tissue; it is avascular and lacks nerve fibers and contains cells, fibers, and ECM
what are the three types of cartilage?
hyaline cartilage, elastic cartilage, and fibrocartilage
describe hyaline cartilage
known for its “glassy” appearance and is the most common type; composed mostly of type II collagen
where can you find hyaline cartilage?
in places where it maintains a lumen/space open (nose, larynx, trachea, and bronchi), at articular surfaces of bones (ventral ends of the ribs that articulate with sternum, articulating surfaces of mobile joints such as femur), and at epiphyseal plates (“growth” plates of growing bones)
what are the functions of hyaline cartilage?
to maintain an open lumen/space, to act as a shock absorber, and to allow friction-free gliding between bones of moveable joints
what is the function of epiphyseal growth plates?
they allow long bones to grow in length; they start as hyaline and are eventually replaced completely by bone
describe the histogenesis of hyaline cartilage
mesenchymal cells retract their cell processes and become round-shaped cells. these cells form chondrification centers which are future cartilage sites. mesenchymal cells then differentiate into chondroblasts which synthesize more of this matrix in their surroundings, they become trapped in lacunae
what does “isogenous” mean?
isogenous cells are progeny of a single cell and are genetically uniform
describe the perichondrium
a connective tissue capsule that covers only hyaline and elastic cartilage; composed of 2 cell layers: the outer fibrous layer that contains fibroblasts and the inner cellular layer composed of chondrogenic cells
explain how cellular growth occurs in perichondrium
the perichondrium has vessels to provide oxygen and nutrients; the nutrients and oxygen can get into cartilage layer; when there isn’t enough diffusion, the cells in the hyaline cartilage layer break down and new cells form from the perichondrium and move inward
what are the 2 mechanisms of cartilage growth
interstitial growth (cartilage grows from within); appositional growth (cartilage grows on the surface)
where does interstitial growth occur?
during early stages of cartilage formation, in articular cartilage (does not have perichondrium), in growth plates, and deep within the cartilage
what makes up the hyaline cartilage matrix?
proteins (mainly type II collagen; cannot be seen with staining so that is why you see glassy), proteoglycans, glycoproteins, and extracellular fluid
what are the three different types of cartilage cells?
chondrogenic cells, chondroblast and chondrocytes
describe chondrogenic cells
arise from mesenchymal cells and differentiate into chondroblasts and osteoprogenitor cells
describe chondroblasts
differentiate from mysenchymal cells in the chondrification center and/or chondrogenic cells in the inner perichondrium; form matrix and fibers of cartilage
describe chondrocytes
“grown up” chondroblasts; have large nucleus and prominent nucleoulus; can go back to being chondroblasts; are trapped in lacuna, and monitor matrix composition; synthesize necessary molecules to maintain cartilage matrix
where would you find elastic cartilage?
pinna of the ear, internal and external auditory tubes, the epiglottis, and larynx
how is elastic cartilage different from hyaline cartilage?
it contains not only type II collagen, but also elastic fibers in the ECM and in the fibrous layer of the perichondrium; it also has larger chondrocytes than hyaline cartilage, is more flexible and elastic than hyaline cartilage, and is yellow in the fresh state
describe fibrocartilage
transitional form between dense connective tissue and hyaline cartilage; contains chondrocytes and type I collagen; lacks a perichondrium
where do you find fibrocartilage
in areas requiring tough, tensile strength; can be seen in intervertebral discs, pubic symphysis, articular dists, menisci of knee joints, and attached to bones (between tendons and bones)
how are fibroblasts and chondrocytes related
fibroblasts secrete proteoglycans that become surrounded by matrix and become chondrocytes
osteoarthritis
articular surface of bone where cartilage has degenerated, exposing the underlying bone; caused by the breakdown of hyaline cartilage which normally provides a slippery surface for articulating bones; most prevalent in older individuals
tell me some general things about bone
it is a specialized connective tissue; bone is mineralized, living tissue that is continuously being remodeled; bone serves as a storage depot for minerals; bone marrow is a blood-cell forming tissue; bone supports and protects