Histology Functions of Cartilage
o firm consistency of the cartilage ECM – tissue can
Chapter 7
Cartilage
Cartilage – tough, flexible form of connective tissue
o characterized by an extracellular matrix (ECM)
high concentrations of GAGs and proteoglycans
collagen and elastic fibers
o avascular – lacks lymphatic vessels and nerves
receives nutrients through diffusion from
capillaries in the perichondium
3 types of cartilage – varies in the composition of matrix
components and cells
o Hyaline Cartilage – most common form
type II collagen – principal collagen type
o Elastic cartilage – more pliable and distensible
elastic fibers + collagen type II
o Fibrocartilage – present in body regions subjected to
pulling forces
dense network of coarse type I collagen fibers
bear mechanical stresses w/o permanent distortion
o provides shock absorbing and sliding regions within
joints and facilitates bone movements
o guides development and growth of long bones
before and after birth
Chondrocytes – cells of cartilage embedded in ECM
o synthesize and maintain ECM components
o located in matrix cavities called lacunae
o low metabolic activity
principal macromolecules present in all cartilage matrix
o Collagen
o hyaluronic acid
o proteoglycans
o various glycoproteins
physical properties of cartilage
o depend on electrostatic bonds between:
flexible collagen and elastin fibers
GAGs on densely packed proteoglycans
o semi-rigid consistency – attributable to water
(solvation water) bound to the negatively charged
sulfated GAG chains extending from the proteoglycan
core proteins
high content of bound water – allows cartilage to
serve as a shock absorber
perichondrium – sheath of dense connective tissue that
surrounds cartilage in most places
o forms an interface b/n the cartilage and the tissues
supported by the cartilage
o harbors the cartilage’s vascular supply, as well as
nerves and lymphatic vessels
o Articular cartilage – covers the surfaces of bones in
movable joints
lacks perichondrium
sustained by the diffusion of oxygen and
nutrients from the synovial fluid
proteins required for normal chondrocyte function
o collagen type II
o aggrecan core protein
o sulfate transporter
o other proteins
7.1 Hyaline Cartilage
Hyaline Cartilage – most common
o homogeneous and semitransparent in the fresh state
o location in adults
in the articular surfaces of movable joints
in the walls of larger respiratory passages (nose,
larynx, trachea, bronchi)
in the ventral ends of ribs –articulate w/ sternum
in the epiphyseal plates of long bones – makes
longitudinal bone growth possible
o In the embryo
forms the temporary skeleton that is gradually
replaced by bone
fontanels – bunbunan
Osteoarthritis – chronic condition that commonly occurs
during aging
o gradual loss or changed physical properties of the
hyaline cartilage that lines the articular ends of bones
in joints
o Weightbearing (knees, hips) or heavily used (wrist,
fingers) joints – most prone to cartilage degeneration
7.1.1 Matrix of Hyaline Cartilage
dry weight – 40% collagen embedded in a firm, hydrated
gel of proteoglycans and structural glycoproteins
o mostly type II collagen
o wet weight – 75% water
histology preparations
o proteoglycans – basophilic
o thin collagen fibrils – barely discernible
o Staining differences
Territorial matrix – immediately around lacuna
Interterritorial matrix – more distant fr lacunae
More abundant in collagen
Aggrecan (250 kD) – with ±150 GAG side chains of
chondroitin sulfate and keratan sulfate
o Most abundant proteoglycan of hyaline cartilage
Hyaluronic Acid – links proteoglycans and Type II Collagen
Chondroitin Sulfate – binds collagen matrix
Chondronectin – structural multiadhesive glycoprotein
o binds to GAGs, collagen type II, & integrins, mediating
the adherence of chondrocytes to the ECM
7.1.2 Chondrocytes of Hyaline Cartilage
Chondroblasts (young chondrocytes)
o At the periphery of the cartilage
elliptic shape w/ the long axis parallel to the
surface
o Deeper in the cartilage
Round
isogenous aggregates – groups of up to 8 cells
that originate from mitotic divisions of a single
chondrocyte
occupy separate lacunae as they become
more active in secreting ECM
Metabolic Activity
o respire under low-oxygen tension
o metabolize glucose mainly by anaerobic glycolysis to
produce lactic acid as the end product
o Transport of water and solutes in the matrix –
promoted by the pumping action of intermittent
cartilage compression and decompression
o limits of diffusion
maximum thickness of the hyaline cartilage –
small, thin plates
inability of cartilage to regenerate or to be repaired fully
o immobility, low metabolic and mitotic rates and
avascularity
o If a cartilage injury involves the perichondrium,
new chondroblasts and fibroblasts – mobilized
for limited repair to occur
normal function of the cartilage – often impaired
hormones and growth factors
o Chondrocyte synthesis of sulfated GAGs and secretion
of proteoglycans
o Somatotropin – pituitary derived growth hormone
major regulator of hyaline cartilage growth
acts indirectly – promotes the endocrine release
from the liver of somatomedins
somatomedins – insulin-like growth factors
directly stimulates proliferation of
chondrocytes
tumors by chondrocytes
o chondroma – benign
o chondrosarcoma – slow-growing, malignant
seldom metastasize and are generally removed
surgically
7.1.3 Perichondium
perichondrium – covers all hyaline cartilage except in
articular cartilage of joints
o essential for the growth and maintenance of cartilage
o consists largely of collagen type I fibers & fibroblasts
progenitor cells – among the fibroblasts in the inner layer
of the perichondrium
o divide and differentiate into chondrocytes
 Location:
o in intervertebral discs
o in attachments of certain ligaments
o in the pubic symphysis

Chondrocytes of fibrocartilage
o occur singly and in aligned isogenous aggregates
o produce matrix containing type II collagen

Hyaline Cartilage

7.2 Elastic Cartilage

Elastic cartilage – essentially similar to hyaline cartilage

except that it contains an abundant network of elastic
fibers in addition to collagen type II Intervertebral discs of the spinal column – composed
o Yellowish (fresh specimen) primarily of fibrocartilage
o Composition: o act as lubricated cushions and shock absorbers
Matrix o preventing adjacent vertebrae from being damaged
Chondrocytes by abrasive forces or impacts
Perichondrium o held in place by ligaments
o Linked or continuous with hyaline cartilage o two major components of each disc
Annulus fibrosus – rich in bundles of type I
Elastic fibers – provide greater flexibility collagen
Nucleus pulposus – gel-like matrix rich in
Location: hyaluronic acid
o in the auricle of the ear
o the walls of the external auditory canals
o the auditory (eustachian) tubes 7.4 Cartilage Formation, Growth, & Repair
o epiglottis
o cuneiform cartilage in the larynx Chondrogenesis – formation of chondrocytes from
embryonic mesenchyme

Center to outward development

Elastic Cartilage o Central cell – chondrocytes
o Peripheral – chondroblasts
o Superficial mesenchyme – perichondium
7.3 Fibrocartilage
Enlargement of Cartilage tissue
o Interstitial growth
Fibrocartilage Mitotic division from pre-existing chondrocytes
o Intermediate between dense connective and hyaline during the early phases of cartilage formation
cartilage occurs in the epiphyseal plates of long bones
o Base is type I collagen o Appositional growth
Less proteoglycans Differentiation of perichondrial cells
Acidophilic more important during postnatal development
o Perochondrium is less distinct
 (**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)

Regeneration
o Scarring of dense connective tissue (perichondrium)
o Very slow process
o The poor regenerative capacity of cartilage is due in
part to the avascularity of this tissue

hyaline cartilage is susceptible to calcification during aging

o resembles endochondral ossification by which bone is
formed