Cartilage is a connective tissue consisting of collagen fibers and elastic fibers in a rubbery ground substance produced by chondroblasts. There are three main types of cartilage: hyaline cartilage found in joints and embryonic skeleton; elastic cartilage in ears and larynx containing elastic fibers; and fibrocartilage containing collagen bundles found in intervertebral discs and menisci. Each type has a different structure and function, with hyaline cartilage providing smooth surfaces for movement, elastic cartilage maintaining shape, and fibrocartilage providing support and rigidity.
Cartilage is a connective tissue consisting of collagen fibers and elastic fibers in a rubbery ground substance produced by chondroblasts. There are three main types of cartilage: hyaline cartilage found in joints and embryonic skeleton; elastic cartilage in ears and larynx containing elastic fibers; and fibrocartilage containing collagen bundles found in intervertebral discs and menisci. Each type has a different structure and function, with hyaline cartilage providing smooth surfaces for movement, elastic cartilage maintaining shape, and fibrocartilage providing support and rigidity.
Cartilage is a connective tissue consisting of collagen fibers and elastic fibers in a rubbery ground substance produced by chondroblasts. There are three main types of cartilage: hyaline cartilage found in joints and embryonic skeleton; elastic cartilage in ears and larynx containing elastic fibers; and fibrocartilage containing collagen bundles found in intervertebral discs and menisci. Each type has a different structure and function, with hyaline cartilage providing smooth surfaces for movement, elastic cartilage maintaining shape, and fibrocartilage providing support and rigidity.
is a connective tissue consisting of a dense matrix of
collagen fibers and elastic fibers embedded in a rubbery ground substance. The matrix is produced by cells called chondroblasts, which become embedded in the matrix as chondrocytes. mature cartilage cells are called chondrocytes. They occur, either singly or in groups, within spaces called lacunae. (sing.lacuna) in the matrix. The surface of most of the cartilage in the body is surrounded by a membrane of dense irregular connective issue called perichondrium. This is important to remember especially because (unlike other connective tissues), cartilage contains no blood vessels or nerves-except in the perichondrium. There are 3 types of cartilage that have different structures and functions. is the most abundant of the three types of cartilage. It is found in many locations in the body, including; • Bronchi: Bronchial Tubes; Costal Cartilages; Larynx (voice box); Nose; Trachea - Covering the surface of bones at joints especially in areas where damage due to wear may lead to osteoarthritis incl.the ends of the long bones, and also the anterior ends of the ribs. Embryonic Skeleton (i.e in the fetus) STRUCTURE: Hyaline Cartilage consists of a bluish-white, shiny ground elastic material with a matrix of chondroitin sulphate into which many fine collagen fibrils are embedded. It contains numerous chondrocytes. FUNCTIONS: Hyaline Cartilage tissue provides smooth surfaces, enabling tissues to move/slide easily over each other e.g. facilitating smooth movements at joints. It is also provides flexibility and support. Elastic Cartilage or Yellow Cartilage is a type of cartilage present in the outer ear, Eustachian tube and epiglottis. It contains elastic fiber networks and collagen type II fibers. The principal protein is elastin. the cells are closer together creating less intercellular space. It is found in Auditory (Eustachian) Tubes; External Ear (Auricle); Epiglottis (the lid on the top of the larynx) STRUCTURE: In elastic cartilage which is yellowish in colour, the cartilage cells (chondrocytes) are located in a threadlike network of elastic fibers within the matrix of the cartilage. A perichondrium is present. FUNCTIONS: Elastic Cartilage provides support to surrounding structures and helps the define and maintain the shape of the area in which it is present, e.g. the external ear. White fibrocartilage consists of a mixture of white fibrous tissue and cartilaginous tissue in various proportions. It owes its flexibility and toughness to the former of these constituents, and its elasticity to the latter. It is the only type of cartilage that contains type I collagen in addition to the normal type II. cartilage that contains fibrous bundles of collagen, such as that of the intervertebral disks in the spinal cord. found in; • Calli (sing. Callus) which is the tissue formed between the ends of the bone at the site of a healing fracture (blood clot granulation tissue cartilage bone). • Invertebral discs (i.e, the discs between the vertebrae of the spine); • Menisci (cartilage pads) of the knee joint • Pubic symphysis which is the position at which the hip bones join at the front of the body. • Also in the portions of the tendons that insert into the cartilage tissue, especially at joints. STRUCTURES: Fibrocartilage is a tough form of cartilage that consists of chondrocytes scattered among clearly visible dense bundles of collagen fibers within the matrix. Fibrocartilage lacks a perichondrium. FUNCTIONS: Fibrocartilage tissue provides support and rigidity to attached/surrounding structures and is the strongest of the three types of cartilage.