Cartilage

Dr. PASHMINA SHAIKH

What is cartilage?

 It is a special type of connective tissue with a firm

extracellular matrix.
Location

 Cartilage is found in:

 Respiratory tract
 External ear
 Intervertebral disc
 Articular surface of bones (in joints)
 Skeleton of fetus
Components

 Cartilage consists of three components:

 Cells
 Matrix (between the cells)
 Perichondrium (outer layer)
Cartilage cells

 Cartilage contains three types of cells:

 Chondrogenic cells
 Chondroblast
 chondrocyte
1. Chondrogenic cells

 Originate from mesenchymal cells

 Spindle shaped cells with oval nuclei
 Found in the perichondrium
 Differentiate into chondroblasts
(Differentiation of cells does not include cell division but
only a change in structure)
2.Chondroblasts

 Basophilic flat cells with flat nuclei

 Protein-secreting cells
 Secrete cartilage matrix
 Found in the perichondrium
 Originate from chondrogenic cells
3. Chondrocyte

 Each chondroblast secretes the matrix &

becomes a chondrocyte with a large
rounded nucleus.
 The chondrocyte is the mature cartilage
cell which also secretes matrix.
 Each chondrocyte is situated in a small
space called a lacuna surrounded by the
matrix.
 The chondrocyte can divide in the lacuna
 There is no connection between the
lacunae.
Cartilage Matrix

 The matrix is an avascular extracellular material

secreted by chondroblast & chondrocyte.
 Cartilage matrix consists of:
 Fibers: collagen type I or type II or elastic fibers.
 Ground substance: glycoproteins & chondroitin sulphate.
Perichondrium

 A dense vascular connective tissue on the surface of

cartilage.
 It consists of:
 Outer fibrous layer of dens CT (Type I collagen).
 Inner cellular layer of chondrogenic cells & chondroblast.
 Its function is growth of cartilage
Types of cartilage

 There are three types according to the fibers in the

matrix:
 Hyaline cartilage
 Elastic cartilage
 Fibrocartilage
Similarities between types of
cartilage
 All types have chondrocyte in lacunae.
 All types have avascular matrix.
 All types have perichondrium EXCEPT:
 Fibrocartilage
 Articular cartilage
Hyaline cartilage

 Found in:
 Respiratory tract
 Articular cartilage
 Chondrocytes divide and form small groups
called isogenous group.
 Collagen type II in a basophilic matrix, but
the collagen is not visible with the L.M.
 The matrix is more basophilic near the
chondrocyte.
 Articular cartilage lacks perichondrium and it
receives nutrient from the synovial fluid
Elastic cartilage

 More chondrocytes and less matrix than hyaline

cartilage.
 Many elastic fibers in the matrix and in the
perichondrium.
 Collagen type II is also present
 Examples: External ear & epiglottis.
 Elastin stain stains elastin black
Fibrocartilage

 Parallel bundles of acidophilic type I

collagen fibers in the matrix.
 (Note: Collagen type I is stronger than
type II).
 Chondrocytes form parallel rows.
 Chondrocytes arise from fibroblasts.
 More fibers and less chondrocytes than
that in hyaline and elastic cartilage.
 No perichondrium
 Example: Intervertebral disc
Cartilage growth

 Cartilage arises from mesenchyme during

chondrogenesis
 Cartilage grows by two methods:
 Appositional growth : on surface from perichondrium.
 Interstitial growth: deep in matrix.
Repair of cartilage

 Cartilage has a limited ability for repair.

 Injured cartilage is replaced by Connective tissue.