CARTILAGE

Prepared by:
Jade Kenneth Lomansoc
 Cartilage
• Composed exclusively of chondrocytes
• Avascular
• Key tissue in growing bones
• Well adapted to serve in a weight-bearing
capacity (especially at points of movement)
• Arises from mesenchyme
– exception of some of the cartilage in head, which
is derived from ectomesenchyme by way of neural
crest cells

• Blastema
– rounded mass of mesenchymal cells with
relatively little intercellular material
– Precartilage cells
• In close apposition, begin to produce cartilage
matrix, referred to as chondrocytes

• Progressively move apart and continually

deposit matrix

• Completely surrounded by matrix material

called perichondium
 Growth
• (The ability of damaged cartilage to repair
itself is limited)
– Appositional
• Formation of cartilage onto the surface of pre-existing
cartilage
• Derived from the perichondrium
– Interstitial
• Within the cartilage mass
• Possible because chondrocytes are still capable of cell
division and because the matrix is distensible
 Types
• Hyaline
• Elastic
• Fibrocartilage
 HYALINE CARTILAGE
• Intial skeleton of the fetus
• Precursor of bones via endochondral ossification
• Serves as the epiphyseal growth plate
• Articular bone surface (adult long bone)
• Generally surrounded by perichondrium -> dense
connective tissue (capsule) -> inner (cartilage cells)
and outer (fibrous)
• Trachea, bronchi, larynx, nose, and the costal
cartilages (ends of ribs)
 HYALINE CARTILAGE
• Calcification
– First, that portion of articular cartilage that is in
contact with the bone is calcified
– Second, calcification always occurs in cartilage
that is about to be replaced by bone during the
growth period of the individual
– Third, hyaline cartilage throughout the body
calcifies as part of the aging process
 ELASTIC CARTILAGE
• Matrix contains elastic fibers and sheets of
elastic materials in addition to collagen fibrils
and ground substance
• Does not calcify
• (+) perichondrium
• External ear, walls of external auditory canal
and auditory (eustachian) tube, in the larynx
 FIBROCARTILAGE
• Matrix contains obvious bundles of thick collagen
fibers (mostly type I)
• (+) fibrocartilage – indicates that resistance to both
compression and shear are required of the tissue
• Intervertebral discs, symphysis pubis, articular discs
of the sternoclavicular and temporomandibular
joints, the menisci of the knee joints, and certain
places where tendons attach to bones