CARTILAGE

• Cartilage is a form of connective tissue

composed of cells called CHONDROCYTES
and a highly specialized extracellular matrix
• > 95% of cartilage volume consists of the
extracellular matrix which is a functional
element of the tissue
• Chondrocytes are essential participants in
producing & maintaining the matrix
• Cartilage and bones are categorized as
special types of dense regular connective
tissues
 TYPES
• HYALINE
• ELASTIC
• FIBROCARTILAGE
 Types
• HYALINE
– Characterized by matrix containing type II
collagen fibers, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs),
proteoglycans & multiadhesive glycoproteins
– Distinguished by homogenous amorphous
matrix
– Appears glassy in living state
– Throughout the cartilage matrix are spaces
are spaces called LACUNAE
 Types
• HYALINE
– w/in the lacunae are chondrocytes
– Provides a low friction surface, participates in
lubrication in synovial joints, and distributes
applied forces to the underlying bone
 3 molecules in hyaline cartilage
matrix
• Collagen molecules
• Proteoglycans
• Multiadhesive glycoproteins
 Collagen Molecules
• Major matrix protein
Type II collagen Constitues the bulk of fibril
Involved in formation

Type IX Facilitates fibril interaction w/ matrix

of matrix fibrils

collagen proteoglycan molecules

Type XI Regulates the fibril size
collagen
Type X collagen Organizes collagen fibrils into a 3-
dimensional haxagonal lattice
Type VI Also found in matrix, mainly at periphery of
collagen chondrocytes where it helps attach these
cells to matrix framework

* II, VI, IX, X, XI : cartilage specific collagen

Proteoglycans
• Contains glycosaminoglycans
– Hyaluronan
– Chondrotin sulfate forms a proteoglycan
– Keratin sulfate monomer
• Most important monomer is aggrecan
Multiadhesive Glycoproteins
• Also referred to as non-collagenous &
non-proteoglycan linked glycoproteins,
influence interaction between
chondrocytes & matrix molecules & value
as markers of cartilage turnover and
degeneration
 Types
• HYALINE
– Hyaline cartilage matrix is highly hydrated to
provide diffusion of small metabolites &
resilience
– H.C. provides a model for the developing
skeleton of fetus in utero
– A firmly attached connective tissue, the
perichondrium surrounds hyaline cartilage
– H.C. of articular joint surfaces do not possess
a perichondrium
 Types
• ELASTIC
– Distinguished by the presence of elastin in
cartilage matrix
– Found in external ear, walls of external
acoustic meatus, the auditory (eustachian)
tube, & epiglottis of the larynx
– Matrix of elastic cartilage do not decalcify
upon aging
 Types
• FIBROCARTILAGE
– Consists of chondrocytes & their matrix
material in combination w/ dense connective
tissue
– Combination of dense connective tissue &
hyaline cartilage
– No surrounding perichondrium
 Types
• FIBROCARTILAGE
– Typically present in intervertebral disks,
symphysis pubis,articular disks of
sternoclavicular & temporomandibular joints,
triangular fibrocartilage of wrist, & anatomic
locations where tendons attached to bones
– Presence of fibrocartilage indicates resistance
to both compression & shearing forces
 Types
• FIBROCARTILAGE
– Extracellualar matrix of fibrocartilage is
characterized by presence of both type I & II
collagen fibrils
Chondrogenesis & Cartilage Growth
• Most cartilage arise from mesenchyme
during chondrogenesis (cartilage
development)
• 2 kinds of growth:
– Appositional – process that forms new
cartilage at surface of an existing cartilage
– Interstitial – process that forms new cartilage
w/in an existing cartilage mass
 Repair of Hyaline Cartilage
• H.C. has limited ability for repair
• When H.C. calcifies, it is replaced by bone
in the ff situations:
– The portion of articular cartilage that is in
contact w/ bone tissue in growing adult bones,
but not the surface portion is calcified
– Calcification always occurs in cartilage that is
about to be replaced by bone during the
growth period of individual
– H.C. in adult calcifies in time as part of aging
process
Hyaline Cartilage
Elastic Cartilage
Fibrocartilage