Dr. Ghaith Alabedi ………………………….. Histology …………………………….

2nd Year

Cartilage

Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue found in multiple areas of the body, including
joints, the ear and nose, and intervertebral discs. Formed by the process of
chondrogenesis, the resulting chondrocytes are capable of producing large amounts of
collagenous extracellular matrix and ground substance, which together form cartilage
itself.
Composition of Cartilage
A: Cells:

1. Chondrocytes - synthesize and secrete extracellular matrix.

- located in matrix cavities – lacunae.
Extracellular Matrix (EM): organelles typical of protein secretory cells (rER, GA).

2. Chondroblasts – synthesize and secrete extracellular matrix.

3. Chondroclasts – belong to mononuclear phagocyte system, involved in destruction of
the cartilage.
B: Extracellular Matrix
A) amorphous ground substance

glycosaminoglycans–hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulphate, keratan sulphate.

2. proteoglycans – form proteoglycan aggregates that interact
with collagen and bind the water.
3. structural glycoproteins – chondronectin.

B) fibrils:
1. collagen II – fibres are not formed, fibrils with diameter 20nm.

2. collagen I – form fibres, in fibrocartilage.

3. elastic fibres – in elastic cartilage.

Perichondrium

The perichondrium is a dense layer of fibrous connective tissue that covers cartilage in
various parts of the body. Perichondrium tissue commonly covers these areas:

 elastic cartilage in parts of the ear

 Nose
 hyaline cartilage in the larynx
 hyaline cartilage in the trachea
 Epiglottis
 area where the ribs connect to the sternum

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 Dr. Ghaith Alabedi ………………………….. Histology ……………………………. 2nd Year

 area between the spinal vertebrae

In adults, perichondrium tissue does not cover articular cartilage in the joints or where the
ligaments attach to bone. However, in children, perichondrium can be found in articular
cartilage along with common areas throughout the body. Perichondrium is made of two
layers:
Outer fibrous layer: This dense membrane of connective tissue contains fibroblast cells
that produce collagen.
Inner chondrogenic layer: This layer contains fibroblast cells that produce
chondroblasts and chondrocytes (cartilage cells).
Function

Perichondrium tissue helps protect bones from injury, specifically those still growing or
developing. Perichondrium tissue also provides elasticity to parts of your body by
reducing friction. This can prevent bone damage, injury, and long-term deterioration. The
fibrous nature of perichondrium tissue allows blood flow to easily pass through your body.
Fibrous perichondrium tissue also allows oxygen and nutrients to flow without obstruction.
Types of cartilage

There are three types of cartilage:

1. Hyaline cartilage.
2. Elastic cartilage.
3. Fibrocartilage.
Hyaline cartilage
Location: articular surfaces, wall of large respiratory passages – larynx, trachea, bronchi,
epiphyseal plate, ventral ends of ribs, embryonic temporary
Skeleton. Appearance: bluish-white, translucent.
Composition:
1. chondrocytes: spherical in shape, at the periphery elliptic.

- appear in groups - up to 8 cells originating by mitotic division of a single chondrocyte-

isogenous group
- housed in matrix cavities- lacunae (in living tissue fill the lacunae, shrinking during
preparation).
2. Extracellular matrix - (glassy)- cells are surrounded by basophilic matrix – territorial
(capsular) matrix (rich in acidic glycosaminoglycans) and interterritorial matrix – smooth,
paler, less basophilic (collagen II - does not form fibres, fibrils interact with proteoglycan.

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 Dr. Ghaith Alabedi ………………………….. Histology ……………………………. 2nd Year

2. Elastic cartilage
Location: epiglottis, auricle of the ear, Eustachian tube, cuneiform and corniculate
cartilages in larynx.
Appearance: yellowish color

Composition:
1. chondrocytes – similar to hyaline cartilage, housed in lacuna singly or in pairs
(coffee bean).
2. extracellular matrix – fibrils of collagen II and network of fine elastic fibers (are
arranged in more or less regular fashion between the cells), less amount of ground
amorphous substance. On the surface - perichondrium is identifiable.

3. Fibro-cartilage
location: intervertebral discs, symphysis pubis.
• shock absorber

• situated between articular surfaces of neighboring vertebrae. it has two

components: 1.Annulus fibrosus – fibrocartilage, concentric layers.
2.Nucleus pulposus – in the centre; ground substance, few cells, collagenous II.
Characteristics between dense connective tissue and cartilage.
Composition:

1. chondrocytes – small, spindle-shaped, similar to fibroblasts, arranged singly or in

long rows
2. extracellular matrix – great number of collagens I fibers – acidophilic, amorphous
matrix less abundant, Perichondrium is not identifiable.