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Chapter 7: Cartilage

OBJECTIVES

This chapter should help the student to:

  • List the similarities and differences among the three cartilage types.

  • Relate the functions of the three cartilage types to their structure and location.

  • List the steps in the histogenesis and growth of cartilage.

  • Relate chondrocyte ultrastructure to the synthesis and maintenance of extracellular matrix.

  • Recognize the cartilage type present in a micrograph and identify its components.

MAX-Yield™ STUDY QUESTIONS

  1. Compare the three types of cartilage in terms of:

    1. Type, amount, and arrangement of cells, fibers, and ground substance (Table 7–1)

    2. Location in the body (Table 7–1)

    3. Histogenesis (II.A.3, B.2, and C.21)

    4. Function (Table 7–1)

  2. Sketch a typical proteoglycan aggregate of cartilage ground substance (Fig. 7–1C). Label the hyaluronan, link protein, core protein, chondroitin sulfate, and proteoglycan. Indicate which are GAGs.

  3. Compare capsular (territorial) matrix and intercapsular matrix in terms of location, composition, and staining properties (II.A.2).

  4. Describe the structure and function of the perichondrium (I.B; II.A.2).

  5. List the functions of chondrocytes and name the organelles involved in each function (I.C).

  6. List the factors known to increase or decrease the synthesis and secretion of sulfated GAGs (e.g., chondroitin sulfate) by chondrocytes (II.A.4).

  7. Name the types of growth that occur in hyaline cartilage and compare them in terms of the location of their dividing cells and their importance in expansion of girth, replacement of worn articular cartilage, and bone lengthening at the epiphyseal plate (II.A.4).

  8. What is the major structural difference between articular and other hyaline cartilage (II.A.6)?

  9. How are the chondrocytes of articular cartilage supplied with nutrients and oxygen (I.B; II.A.2)?

  10. What process, other than cell division, increases cartilage mass during growth (II.A.4)?

  11. Describe the origin of chondrocytes that fill and repair a cartilage fracture (II.A.5).

  12. Describe an intervertebral disk (III.A and B) in terms of location, function, the tissue in its annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus, and the latter’s embryonic origin.

Table 7–1.Characteristics of cartilage types.
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Table 7–1. Characteristics of cartilage types.
Cartilage Cell Type Fiber Type Ground Substance Organization Functions Locations
Hyaline cartilage Chondrocytes Type II collagen Main component. Sulfated GAGs; mainly chondroitin, some keratan and heparan, proteoglycan aggregates, and glycoprotein (e.g., chondronectin, and link protein).

Cells and fibers embedded in abundant ground substance. Lacks capillaries. Cells in isogenous groups.

Fibers not visible. Extensive ECM crosslinking.

 Fetal skeleton. Supports and grows rapidly. Maintains airways. Cushion and low-friction surface in joints. Fetal skeleton; articular, costal nasal, laryngeal, tracheal, and bronchial cartilages.
Elastic cartilage Chondrocytes Elastic fibers, collagen II Same as hyaline cartilage. Same as hyaline cartilage but with dense elastic fibers. Flexible support. Semirigid; returns to original shape. External ear, auditory tubes, epiglottis, and larynx.
Fibrocartilage Chondrocytes Collagen I, Some collagen II Like hyaline but with equal amounts of chondroitin and dermatan sulfates. Cross between cartilage and dense regular CT. Chondrocytes in rows between collagen I ...

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