Covers cartilage as a connective tissue with a fibrous matrix, explaining how its extracellular matrix composition gives rise to hyaline, elastic and fibrous types. It describes the perichondrium and the two cell stages, chondroblasts and chondrocytes, with their functions and locations. It also compares the three cartilage types by matrix, location and function, notes why cartilage repairs slowly, and describes interstitial and appositional growth.
Topic 31 of 59 in the MU Pleven syllabus for Cytology (Medicine, Year 1). The free AceMed note covers it in 6 sections, about 912 words (6 min of reading), with 26 flashcards.
In this note
TOPIC 31 connective tissues with fibrous intercellular substance (cartilage)
Cartilage tissue
Notable features:
Perichondrium
Cells in cartilage:
Three Types of cartilage
Cartilage tissue
Abundant extracellular matrix (95%) which has a high concentration of GAGs and proteoglycans which interact with collagen and elastic fibres.
Variations in the concentrations of these components give rise to 3 types of cartilage:
1. Hyaline,
2. Fibrous and
3. Elastic cartilage.
Mainly consists of extracellular matrix containing collagen II and elastic fibres, and small % of chondroblasts and chondrocytes.
Function:
1. It’s a tough, resilient form of supporting connective tissue.
2. Cartilage structurally supports the soft tissues, e.g. in the respiratory tract preventing airway collapse and provides smooth/low-friction articular surfaces in the joints.
3. The firm consistency of the cartilage ECM allows it to resist mechanical stress without permanent distortion in structure and shape
4. It has a smooth lubricated surface and high resiliency which allow it to become shock absorbing (due to bound water) and sliding regions in the joints and help with bone movement.
Notable features:
Unlike bone and other connective tissues, cartilage lacks blood vessels, lymphatic ducts and nerves thus doesn’t have regenerative capacity like the others.
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