F a c u l t y o f M e d i c i n e

Prof. dr. Manal Shaaban Hafez

Professor of Histology and Cell Biology

Dr. Asmaa Elshafei

Lecturer of Histology and Cell biology
 CARTILAGE & BONE
NERVOUS TISSUE
VASCULAR SYSTEM

Reference
Junqueira's Basic Histology, Text and Atlas. Mescher AL, 15th Edition, 2018.
Chapter 7: Pages: 129-134
Chapter 8: Pages: 138-148
Chapter 9: Pages: 163-165
Chapter 11: Pages: 219 & Table 11-1 page 224
 Cartilage
Learning Objectives

By the end of this part, you should be able to:

➢ Define the general histological characteristics of cartilage.
➢ Recognize the types of cartilage cells & fibers.
➢ Identify different types of cartilage : hyaline, elastic & fibrocartilage.
 1

Collagen Fibers
2

Bundle 3
 Cartilage
✓Definition: a specialized supportive connective tissue with rubbery
(firm) matrix.
✓ Histologically; Formed of :
1. Cells
2. Extracellular matrix composed of:
- Fibers
- Ground substance
 General histological characteristics

✓Cells are widely separated by abundant extracellular

matrix (ECM).
✓The cartilage is covered from outside by
perichondrium except at the articular surface of
joints.
✓ The cartilage is generally avascular (have no blood
vessels ).
✓It gets its blood supply from the perichondrium (C.T.)
or synovial fluid in the joints.
 General histological characteristics
1
✓The perichondrium : Connective tissue (type??) 2
sheath covers the surface of the cartilage.
✓It has two layers
▪ Outer fibrous layer: Collagen type I (CT),
fibroblasts and Blood vessels
▪ Inner cellular layer: chondroblasts.
2
1
 Cartilage: Types of cells

A. Chondroblasts
B. Chondrocytes
 Cartilage: Types of cells

A. Chondroblasts: (young, immature)

➢ Origin: UMC
➢ Site: present at the surface of cartilage.
➢ Structure: Flat or oval active cells.
(Protein forming cells)
➢ Function: synthesize cartilage matrix then,
➢ Chondroblasts change into chondrocytes when they
are trapped inside lacunae.
 Cartilage: Types of cells

B. Chondrocytes: (Old, mature)

Chondrocytes

➢ Origin: Chondroblasts
➢ Site: present deeper in the cartilage.
➢ Structure: Triangular or rounded cells inside
lacunae singly or in groups (cell nests).
➢ They are less active than chondroblasts.
➢ Function: Maintenance of cartilage matrix.
 Types of Cartilage
Cartilage has 3 types according to the type of fibers embedded
in the matrix:
1. Hyaline cartilage (Collagen type II)
2. Elastic cartilage (Elastic fibers & Collagen type II)
3. Fibrocartilage (Collagen type I)
 Hyaline cartilage Elastic cartilage Fibro-cartilage
(Most common)
Perichondrium Covered by Covered by NO perichondrium
perichondrium perichondrium

Matrix homogenous & heterogenous & Scanty containing parallel

basophilic containing basophilic containing bundles of collagen fibers
type II collagen fibrils type II collagen fibrils + type I with rows of
abundant elastic fibers chondrocytes inside
(Flexible). lacunae in between.

Sites ➢ Ends of long bone , ➢ Ear pinna, ➢Intervertebral discs

➢ Ends of the ribs, ➢ External ear,
➢ Trachea & bronchi ➢ Eustachian tube
Q: Compare in a table form between:
1. Chondroblasts & chondrocytes.
2. Different types of cartilage with
reference to their sites.
 Bone
Learning Objectives

By the end of this part, you should be able to:

➢ Define General histological characteristics of bone.

➢ Explain the types of bone cells & fibers & matrix.

➢ Differentiate between types of bone : Compact bone & Spongy bone.

 General histological characteristics
Definition: a specialized supportive connective tissue with Hard (solid) matrix.
➢ Bone covered externally by Periosteum & lined from internal surface by
Endosteum
➢ Formed of:
- Bone cells
- Solid ECM : calcified
➢ Bone tissue is highly vascular

Functions:
1. Protects and supports vital organs of the body as brain and
spinal cord.
2. Storage site for calcium and phosphate.
3. Contains bone marrow which acts as a haemopoietic organ.
 Bone solid matrix

The calcified bone matrix: Bone lamellae

1. Organic component : collagen fibers
type I & proteins
2. Inorganic component, mainly calcium
phosphate
& Ground substance and water.
1. Osteogenic cells: present within inner layer of periosteum and endosteum.
2. Osteoblasts: Present side by side on the surfaces of bone (periosteum and endosteum).
3. Osteocytes: within the matrix, in-between bone lamella, Singly inside lacunae.
4. Osteoclasts: are present on the surface of bone (Endosteum) , in cavity called Howship`s
lacunae.
Types Of Bone Tissue

A.Compact bone
B.Spongy bone
 Compact Bone

1) Compact bone: bone lamellae are regularly arranged.

➢Haversian Systems (Osteons): The "Structural Units" of compact bone;
formed of:
✓ Concentric bone lamellae around haversian canal (Blood vessels , nerves, CT).
✓ Osteocytes present in their lacunae in-between bone lamellae.
✓ Have one bone marrow cavity .
Site: Shafts of long bones.
 Spongy Bone (Cancellous )

2) Spongy bones:
✓ Bone lamellae are irregularly arranged
(bone trabecula).
✓ Osteocytes in-between.
✓ Have no haversian system.
✓ Have multiple bone cavities.
Sites: Ends of long bones , Vertebrae,
short & flat bones as Ribs and skull.
Q: Compare in a table form between:
1. Four major types of bone cells.
2. Histological types of bone with
reference to their sites.
 Nervous tissue
Learning Objectives
By the end of this part, you should be able to:
➢ Define the general structure of nervous tissue.
➢ Explain structure of the neuron:
▪ cell body,
▪ dendrites,
▪ Axon.
➢ Interpret structure and function of neuron.
 Central
Nervous Systems
Peripheral

➢ Peripheral Nerves:
- Cranial
- Spinal
➢ Nerve ganglia:
- Collection of nerve
cell bodies) outside the
CNS

➢ Central nervous system (CNS):

brain and the spinal cord.
 Nervous tissue
1. Nerve cells: Neurons
✓Structural and functional units of the nervous
system.
✓ More than 10 million.
✓ Different shape and size.
✓ Transmit nerve impulses & control function
of different organs.
2. Neuroglial cells:
Supporting cells: support and protect neurons.
e.g; Schwann cells.
Classification of
neurons
 According to their functions

1-Motor neurons: carry motor impulses

from CNS to effector organs (e.g.
muscles).
Sites: Anterior horn cells of spinal cord.
2-Sensory neurons: carry sensory stimuli
from skin to CNS.
Sites: Spinal ganglia.
3-Inter-neurons: short neurons that
connect sensory and motor neurons.
Sites: Spinal cord.
 According to number of processes(polarity)

Bipolar
Pseudo-Unipolar Nerve cell has two processes
from the two poles: Axon &
Nerve cell has a single process dendrite.
from one pole that bifurcates
into 2 branches; one axon & one
dendrite (T-shaped)

Nerve cell has a single long axon

Multipolar & many short dendrites
 Structure of Neuron
I- Cell body (perikaryon)
II- Dendrites
III- Axon
Cell body : perikaryon

Function: Trophic center

1. Reception of impulses from other

neurons (Dendrites).
2. Conduction of the nerve impulse via
the axon to other neurons.
Histology of the cell body
( Perikaryon)
 Nucleus
✓Single
✓Spherical

✓Large N
✓Central

✓Pale vesicular
✓Euchromatin
✓Prominent nucleolus.
 Cytoplasm
1. Nissl’s Bodies or Granules:
➢ LM: large basophilic granules
scattered in perikaryon and dendrites
but not in the axon.
➢ EM: Free ribosomes & RER.
❑ Injury of nerve fiber:
The nerve cells Nissl’s granules
disappear due to their breaking down
(chromatolysis).
2. Golgi Complex:
➢ LM: Stained with silver.
- Network around nucleus.
➢ EM: Well developed Golgi
Complexes.
3. Mitochondria:
✓ Scattered in the cytoplasm.
✓ They are abundant in the axon
terminals.
4. Neurofilaments & Microtubules:
➢ In cell body & processes.
➢ Supportive in function.
➢ Share in the transport of nerve
impulses.
5. Lysosomes: 1ry & 2nd Lysosomes.

6. Cell inclusion: Stored food & Pigments.

Dendrites

Perikaryon

Axon
 Dendrites Axon
Number Usually, numerous Single
Length Short Long
Branching Branching like a tree Not branching except at its terminal
Axon terminals

Diameter Become thinner as they subdivide Has a constant diameter

into branches

Impulse direction Towards the cell body Away from cell body

Organelles Contain Nissl granules, Has mitochondria, neurofilaments and

mitochondria, neurofilaments and microtubules but No Nissl granules
microtubules
 Vascular System
Learning Objectives
By the end of this part, you should be able to:
➢ Define the types of the blood vessels.
➢ Identify the general structure of the tissue of the vascular wall.
➢ Differentiate between histological structure or arteries & veins.
 Types of blood vessels
1

2
3

5
4
• Heart
• Arteries
• Veins
• Arterio-venous connections. Faculty of Dentistry
Wall of blood vessel
Inner

Middle

Outer
 General structure of the tissue of
the vascular wall
1-Tunica intima:
A) Endothelium.
B) Subendothelium.
C) Internal elastic lamina.
2-Tunica media:
A) Circular smooth muscle cells (Sheath of overlapped
spindle-shaped cells with single central oval nucleus,
containing contractile filaments; actin & myosin).
B) Elastic fibers.
C) External elastic lamina.
3- Tunica adventitia:
A) Loose areolar connective tissue.
B) Vasa vasorum ????
 Structure Artery Vein
Wall Thick Thin

Lumen Round , narrow Collapsed , wide

Intima Thick Thin

Well developed Has no elastic lamina
internal elastic lamina

Media Thick Thin

External elastic lamina External elastic lamina
present absent

Adventitia Thin Thick

Valves Absent Present

 Connections between Arteries and Veins
1- Capillaries = An endothelial cell rests on a
basal lamina rolls up forming a tube, surrounded
by pericytes.
2- Sinousoids.
3- Arterio venous anastomosis.

Blood capillary