CARTILAGE
ALBERT CHRISTIAN C. BORBON, RMT, MD, DPSA
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
1. Study the structure – cells and components of cartilage
2. Recognize the function of cartilage
2. Identify the three types of cartilage and give examples of organs containing these types
4. Understand the process of chondrogenesis
CARTILAGE
tough, durable form of supporting connective tissue, characterized by an extracellular matrix
with high concentrations of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans, interacting with
collagen and elastic fibers.
Tough, resilient - ideal for a variety of mechanical and protective roles within the adult skeleton
and elsewhere
FUNCTIONS:
forms the framework supporting softer tissues - respiratory tract, ears, and nose
provides cushioning and sliding regions to facilitate movement – bones and joints
guides development and growth of long bones, both before and after birth
CARTILAGE
Chondrocytes – cells in cartilage, synthesize and maintain all ECM components
Lacuna - matrix cavities where chondrocytes are lodged
The physical properties of cartilage depend on electrostatic bonds between type II collagen
fibrils, hyaluronan, and the sulfated GAGs on densely packed proteoglycans
semi-rigid consistency (good shock absorber) - water bound to the negatively charged
hyaluronan and GAG chains extending from proteoglycan core proteins and enclosed within a
dense meshwork of thin type II collagen fibrils
AVASCULAR – no blood supply
ANEURAL – lacks nerves
CARTILAGE
PERICHONDRIUM
sheath of dense connective tissue that surrounds cartilage in most places, forming an interface between the
cartilage and the tissues supported by the cartilage.
harbors the blood supply serving the cartilage and a small neural component
TYPE OF
CARTILAGE
HYALINE CARTILAGE
ELASTIC CARTILAGE
FIBROCARTILAGE
HYALINE CARTILAGE
Most common, homogeneous and semitransparent in the fresh state
Located in: articular surfaces of movable joints, nose, larynx, trachea, bronchi, in the ventral ends of
ribs, epiphyseal plates of long bones)
In embryo, forms the temporary skeleton that is gradually replaced by bone
HYALINE CARTILAGE
MATRIX
Basophilic, nearly 40% collagen (Type II collagen) embedded in a firm, hydrated gel of
proteoglycans and structural glycoprotein
Aggrecan with approximately 150 GAG side chains of chondroitin sulfate and keratan sulfate, is
the most abundant proteoglycan of hyaline cartilage
Proteoglycans bind further to the surface of type II collagen fibrils
Chondronectin - structural multiadhesive binds specifically to GAGs, collagen, and integrins for
adherence
Territorial matrix – matrix surrounding the lacuna
Interterritorial matrix – matrix in between the lacuna
HYALINE CARTILAGE
CHONDROCYTES – cells in cartilage and occupy in spaces called LACUNA
synthesize sulfated GAGs and secrete proteoglycan
Chondroblast - elliptic shape, with the long axes parallel to the surface located in the periphery of the
tissue
Isogeneous aggrefates - round and may appear in groups of up to eight cells that originate from mitotic
divisions of a single chondroblast, located deeper
The cells then will be pushed apart the more they secrete collagen and ECM components and will occupy
one lacuna
ELASTIC CARTILAGE
Similar to HYALINE CARTILAGE but contains an abundant network of elastic fibers in addition to a
meshwork of collagen type II fibrils
Yellowish in color, More flexible than hyaline cartilage
When using special stain – abundant dark bundles distributed unevenly
Has perichondrium
ELASTIC CARTILAGE
FOUND: In the auricle of the ear, the walls of the external auditory canals, the auditory (Eustachian)
tubes, the epiglottis
FIBROCARTILAGE
essentially a mix of hyaline cartilage and dense connective tissue
Chondrocytes - occur singly and often in aligned isogenous aggregates, producing type II collagen and other
extracellular matrix component
The matrix is typically sparse and lesser proteoglycans (acidophilic)
Areas with chondrocytes and hyaline matrix are separated by other regions with fibroblasts and dense
bundles of type I collagen which confer extra tensile strength
FIBROCARTILAGE
FOUND In: Intervertebral discs, in attachments of certain ligaments, and in the pubic symphysis
Areas in where it serves as very tough, yet cushioning support tissue for bone.
Intervertebral discs of the spinal column are composed primarily of fibrocartilage and act as lubricated
cushions and shock absorbers preventing damage to adjacent vertebrae from abrasive forces or impacts.
CARTILAGE FORMATION
Chondrogenesis – from the embryonic mesenchyme
Rounding up of the mesenchymal cells (retract their extensions, multiply rapidly, and become more
densely packed together)
Chondroblasts – during period of rapid proliferation, young, immature basophilic cytoplasm rich in RER
for collagen production
The production of ECM will result in cells enclosed in LACUNA
During embryonic development, the cartilage differentiation takes place primarily from the center
outward; more central - chondrocytes, peripheral cells -chondroblasts.
The superficial mesenchyme develops as the perichondrium
CARTILAGE FORMATION
Chondroblasts are then separated from one another again by their production of the various matrix
components, which collectively swell with water and form the very extensive ECM
Multiplication of chondroblasts within the matrix gives rise to isogenous cell aggregates surrounded by
a condensation of territorial matrix.
Chondroblasts Chondrocyte (when embedded in lacuna)
In mature cartilage, this interstitial mitotic activity ceases and all chondrocytes typically become more
widely separated by their production of matrix.
CARTILAGE GROWTH
Synthesis of new matrix that contributes to the growth of cartilage
APPOSITIONAL GROWTH -chondroblast differentiation from progenitor cells in the perichondrium,
which the chondroblast secrete new matrix along the surface, growth in width
INTERSTITIAL GROWTH – enlargement by mitotic division of preexisting chondrocytes, growth in
length
In articular cartilage, cells and matrix near the articulating surface are gradually worn away and must be
replaced from within, because there is no perichondrium to add cells by appositional growth.
CARTILAGE GROWTH
APPOSITIONAL GROWTH INTERSTITIAL GROWTH
CARTILAGE REPAIR
damaged cartilage undergoes slow and often incomplete repair – Except in CHILDREN
primarily dependent on cells in the perichondrium which invade the injured area and produce new cartilage.
In damaged areas the perichondrium produces a scar of dense connective tissue instead of forming new
cartilage.
The poor capacity of cartilage for repair or regeneration is due in part to its avascularity and low metabolic
rate.
CARTILAGE DAMAGE
CARTILAGE
HYALINE ELASTIC CARTILAGE FIBROCARTILAGE
CARTILAGE
Extracellular matrix Homogenous, aggrecans Aggrecan Large areas of dense
connective tissue
Major Cells Chondrocytes, Chondrocytes, Chondrocytes, fibroblasts
chondroblasts chondroblasts
Fibers Type II collagen Type II collagen, darker Type II collagen with a
elastic fibers few Type I collagen
Arrangement of Isolated, small isogenous Usually isogenous groups Isolated or in isogenous
Chondrocytes groups groups arranged axially
Perichondrium Yes (except at epiphyses Yes NO
and articular cartilage)
THANK
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