Cartilage Types, Characteristics, and Locations
- Hyaline cartilage contains type II collagen and a basophilic matrix.
- Type II collagen is the main collagen associated with hyaline cartilage and elastic cartilage.
- Basophilic matrix stains with basic dyes, often because the matrix contains negatively charged proteoglycans.
- Isogenous groups are clusters of chondrocytes that formed by division of one original chondrocyte.
- Hyaline cartilage usually contains chondrocytes arranged in isogenous groups.
- Perichondrium usually surrounds hyaline cartilage, but articular surfaces are an important exception.
- Articular surfaces are joint surfaces, and hyaline cartilage there lacks perichondrium so the surface can remain smooth for joint motion.
- Articular ends of long bones, nose, larynx, trachea, bronchi, ventral ribs, and the temporary skeleton for endochondral bone formation contain hyaline cartilage.
- Elastic cartilage contains type II collagen plus elastic fibers.
- Elastic fibers let elastic cartilage bend and recoil more than hyaline cartilage.
- Elastic cartilage has a perichondrium.
- Pinna, auditory canal, auditory tube, epiglottis, and some laryngeal cartilages contain elastic cartilage.
- The pinna is the visible external part of the ear, where flexible elastic cartilage helps maintain shape.
- The epiglottis is a flap-like structure near the larynx that needs flexible support.
- Fibrocartilage contains type I collagen and an acidophilic matrix.
- Type I collagen gives fibrocartilage high tensile strength.
- Acidophilic matrix stains well with acidic dyes, reflecting its collagen-rich composition.
- Fibrocartilage lacks a perichondrium.
- Parallel rows of chondrocytes between collagen bundles are a typical fibrocartilage arrangement.
- Dense collagenous connective tissue and hyaline cartilage are commonly associated with fibrocartilage.
- Intervertebral disks, articular disks, pubic symphysis, tendon insertions, and knee menisci contain fibrocartilage.
- Pubic symphysis is the fibrocartilage joint between the pubic bones.
- Menisci are fibrocartilage structures in the knee that help distribute load and improve joint fit.
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