SCHOOL OF MEDICAL

LABORATORY SCIENCE HUMAN HISTOLOGY (LECTURE)

SAN PEDRO COLLEGE – MAIN
CAMPUS
Instructor’s Name: Dr. Vicheryl Lopez
AY 2022 – 2023 - 1ST SEMESTER MODULE NO.7/LESSON NO. 7

OUTLINE PERICHONDRIUM
I. HISTOLOGY OF THE CARTILAGE
A. WHAT IS CARTILAGE FOR?
B. CARTILAGE
C. TYPES OF CARTILAGE
D. IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE MAJOR
CARTILAGE TYPES

I. HISTOLOGY OF THE CARTILAGE

A. WHAT IS CARTILAGE FOR?

● to form the supporting framework of some organs, such as the

walls of airways (nose, trachea, larynx and bronchi), where it
prevents airways collapse
● to form the articulating surfaces of bones
● to form the template for the growth and development of long
bones, and most of the rest of the fetal skeleton (gradually
replaced by bone)
→ exhibits tensile strength, provides firm structural support for
soft tissues, allows flexibility without distortion, and is
resilient to compression
B. CARTILAGE
Figure 2. Perichondrium
● PERIPHERAL (OUTER) LAYER: vascularized, dense,
irregular connective tissue with Type I collagen
→ in other books it is known as the fibrous layer and it has
fibroblasts.
→ it contains blood vessels and nerves.
● INNER LAYER: also known as chondrogenic layer or cellular
layer and gives rise to chondroblasts that secrete cartilage
matrix
→ contains undifferentiated mesenchymal cells
● found on peripheries of hyaline and elastic cartilage
● except: Articular hyaline cartilage of long bones and
fibrocartilage

Figure 1. Cartilage

● special form of connective tissue

● develops from embryonic mesenchymal cells
● consists of cells and extracellular matrix (connective tissue
fibers and ground substance)
● avascular (does not have a direct blood supply)
→ all types of cartilage lack blood supply, thus the Figure 3. Perichondrium
chondrocytes receive nutrients by diffusion from capillaries
in surrounding connective tissue (perichondrium)
▪ cartilage secretes an anti-angiogenesis factor, which is
a substance that prevents blood vessel growth
● lacks nerves
▪ since the cartilage has no blood supply it heals poorly
following an injury

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 SCHOOL OF MEDICAL
LABORATORY SCIENCE HUMAN HISTOLOGY (LECTURE)
SAN PEDRO COLLEGE – MAIN
CAMPUS
Instructor’s Name: Dr. Vicheryl Lopez
AY 2022 – 2023 - 1ST SEMESTER MODULE NO.7/LESSON NO. 7

CELLS ● high content of bound water allows cartilage to serve as a shock

absorber
→ an important functional role
→ the strength of cartilage is due to its collagen fibers, and its
resilience is due to chondroitin sulfate
● the schematic representation of the most abundant molecules in
the cartilage matrix (refer figure 5)
▪ this shows the interaction between the type 2 collagen
fibrils and the proteoglycan linked to hyaluronan
▪ on closer view you have here the collagen Type II, then
there is the proteoglycan bearing numerous chondroitin
sulfate, chondroitin sulfate is responsible for the resilience
of the cartilage and this proteoglycan bind to hyaluronan

C. TYPES OF CARTILAGE

Figure 4. Cells in the cartilage

● Chondroblasts
→ are found in the outer layer of cartilage under the
perichondrium
→ secrete extracellular matrix
▪ these cells are found in the outer layer of the cartilage
under the perichondrium
→ the main function of chondroblasts is to create new
cartilaginous tissue, while the function of chondrocytes is to
maintain it Figure 6. Cartilage Types
● As the chondroblasts secrete matrix, they become entrapped
and mature into chondrocytes ● cartilage has collagen fibers and elastic fiber, the concentration
● As the cartilage grows, the chondrocytes divide and cluster of these protein fibers determines whether it is a hyaline
together to form what is known as ‘lacunae’ (meaning little cartilage, elastic cartilage, or fibrocartilage
lakes or small pits)
HYALINE CARTILAGE
EXTRACELLULAR MATRIX

Figure 5. Extracellular matrix in the cartilage

Figure 7. locations of the hyaline cartilage
● collagen and elastic fibers
● proteoglycans, notably aggrecan (bearing numerous ● derived from the Greek word hayalus meaning glass, since this
chondroitin sulfate(, which bind a large amount of water, linked type of cartilage is homogeneous and semi-transparent in the
to hyaluronan fresh state
● most common

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 SCHOOL OF MEDICAL
LABORATORY SCIENCE HUMAN HISTOLOGY (LECTURE)
SAN PEDRO COLLEGE – MAIN
CAMPUS
Instructor’s Name: Dr. Vicheryl Lopez
AY 2022 – 2023 - 1ST SEMESTER MODULE NO.7/LESSON NO. 7

● provides a firm structural and flexible support

● embryo-forms the temporary skeleton that is gradually replaced
by bone
→ in other words hyaline cartilage serves as a skeletal model
for most bones
● in adults hyaline cartilage is located:
→ articular surfaces of movable joints
→ walls of larger respiratory passages (nose, larynx, trachea,
bronchi)
→ ventral ends of ribs, where they articulate with the sternum
→ epiphyseal plates of long bones, where it makes possible
longitudinal bone growth
● MATRIX
→ homogenous and glassy, rich in fibrils of type II collagen
(few elastic fibers) and aggrecan complexes with bound
water
→ H/E: bluish, basophilic matrix
▪ in routine histology preparations, the proteoglycans make Figure 9. Hyaline Cartilage and Surrounding Structures: Trachea
the matrix generally bluish or basophilic, and the fin
collagen fibrils are barely discernible ● perichondrium, which surrounds the cartilage, is the outer
● CHONDROCYTES layer or the fibrous layer. The inner layer or the chondrogenic
→ occur singly or in small, mitotically derived isogenous layer contains the chondroblasts
groups ● the chondrocytes in the lacunae appear either singly or
▪ isogenous group is a group of chondrocytes isogenous groups
● PERICHONDRIUM ● territorial matrix, is a basophilic area immediately around the
→ present in all hyaline cartilage except in the articular chondrocytes, the interterritorial matrix is less intensely
cartilage of joints or the epiphysis of growing long stained area between the isogenous groups of chondrocytes
bones

Figure 10. Cells and Matrix Mature Hyaline Cartilage (higher magnification)

Figure 8. Articular cartilage
● MATRIX APPEARS HOMOGENEOUS: WHY?
→ Collagen fibrils, particularly the type 2 collagen fibrils,
present in the matrix have the same refractive index as that
of the ground substance.
▪ this is also the reason why collagen fibers are not visible
or they are barely discernible under the light microscope
● distributed throughout the homogeneous ground substance the
matrix are ovoid spaces, these ovoid spaces are called the
lacunae, containing the mature chondrocytes
● in intact cartilage chondrocytes fill the lacunae, each
chondrocyte has a granular cytoplasm and a nucleus, during
histologic preparations these chondrocytes shrink and the
lacunae appear as clear spaces
● hyaline cartilage matrix appears homogeneous and basophilic
● the lighter staining matrix in between the chondrocytes is called
the interterritorial matrix, while the more basophilic or darker
matrix adjacent to the chondrocytes is the territorial matrix

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 SCHOOL OF MEDICAL
LABORATORY SCIENCE HUMAN HISTOLOGY (LECTURE)
SAN PEDRO COLLEGE – MAIN
CAMPUS
Instructor’s Name: Dr. Vicheryl Lopez
AY 2022 – 2023 - 1ST SEMESTER MODULE NO.7/LESSON NO. 7

● (1) interterritorial matrix

● (2) territorial (darkly stained)
● (3) the inner or chondrogenic layer of the perichondrium (the
layer where in the chondroblast are located)
● (4) the fibrous or outer or peripheral layer of the perichondrium
(made up of dense irregular connective tissue and there are
fibroblasts)
● (5) lacuna

Figure 11. Hyaline Cartilage: Developing Bone

● here is another photomicrograph of a section of the hyaline

cartilage

Figure 14. Hyaline Cartilage from a costal cartilage of a rib

● Description: Amorphous but firm matrix; collagen fibers from

an imperceptible network; chondroblasts produce the matrix
and, when mature (Chondrocytes), lie in lacunae; made up of
type II collagen fibers with few elastic fibers and surrounded by
a perichondrium
● Function: Supports and reinforces; serves as resilient cushion;
resists compressive stress
● Location: Forms most of the embryonic skeleton; covers the
ends of long bones in joint cavities of the nose, trachea, larynx,
and the bronchi
Figure 12. Hyaline Cartilage: Trachea

● we have here another microscopic image of the hyaline

cartilage from the organ trachea
● (1) the hyaline cartilage
● (2) the isogenous group of chondrocytes
● (3) the territorial matrix
● (4) the interterritorial matrix
● (5) the chondrocyte

Figure 15. Sectional View of the Hyaline Cartilage of a Developing

Fetal Bone

● In embryos and fetuses, hyaline cartilage serves as a

skeletal model for most bones.
● Perichondrium which surrounds the hyaline cartilage.
● Ground substance okay which is part of the Extracellular
Matrix.
● Type 2 collagen fibers are barely discernible or visible
because they have the same refractive index with that of the
ground substance on high power magnification.
● On high power magnification you have the presence of the
lacunae which are those clear spaces which contain the
chondrocytes
Figure 13. Hyaline Cartilage: Trachea (high power magnification)

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 SCHOOL OF MEDICAL
LABORATORY SCIENCE HUMAN HISTOLOGY (LECTURE)
SAN PEDRO COLLEGE – MAIN
CAMPUS
Instructor’s Name: Dr. Vicheryl Lopez
AY 2022 – 2023 - 1ST SEMESTER MODULE NO.7/LESSON NO. 7

ELASTIC CARTILAGE ● Elastic cartilage matrix

→ Appreciate the presence of numerous elastic fibers which
stain black with silver stain.
● Chondrocytes
→ lie in the lacunae, in which these are the ovoid clear spaces

Figure 16. Locations of Elastic Cartilage

● histology is similar to hyaline cartilage except for the

presence of numerous branching, fine elastic fibers within Figure 18. Photomicrograph of Elastic Cartilage from the
its matrix… Epiglottis - Stain: Silver
→ in addition to a meshwork of collagen type 2 fibrils
→ In hyaline cartilage there are only few elastic fibers, but with ● Surrounding the elastic cartilage like the hyaline cartilage is the
elastic cartilage there are numerous elastic fibers perichondrium
● H/E stain: elastic fibers difficult to see ● Fine branching elastic fibers which stain black with a silver stain
→ clearly visualized on special staining (SILVER STAIN) ● The chondrocytes that lie in their lacunae
● confers structural support as well as increased flexibility →The lacunae are the avoid clear spaces
→ Elastic cartilage is highly flexible wherein it has better
flexibility than that of hyaline cartilage therefore it readily
recovers its shape aside from that it confers structural
support
● LOCATIONS:
→ External Ear
→ Walls of the Auditory Tube
→ Epiglottis
→ Portion of the Larynx
→ Cuneiform Cartilage (Thyroid)
▪ Mnemonics: “EWE” Larynx and Cuneiform
● surface covered by perichondrium

Figure 19. Elastic Cartilage: Epiglottis

● (1) The Matrix in between the chondrocytes which is the

Figure 17. Photomicrograph of Elastic Cartilage from the
Epiglottis - Stain: Silver
● Elastic cartilage is surrounded by the perichondrium
→ Both the hyaline cartilage and elastic cartilage are
surrounded by the perichondrium
● Perichondrium has two layers:
→ (1) Outer/ Fibrous Layer/ Peripheral Layer
▪ Appreciate the presence of a Venule because this layer is
vascularized
→ (2) Inner Layer/ Chondrogenic Layer
▪ it contains the chondroblasts
Inter-territorial matrix
● (2) Elastic fiber
● (3) The matrix which is basophilic that is surrounding the
chondrocytes which is the territorial matrix
● Note: The histology of elastic cartilage is similar to hyaline
cartilage except for the presence of numerous elastic fiber
● (4) It is the inner or chondrogenic layer of the
perichondrium which contain the chondroblast that is very
important for synthesizing the extracellular matrix of the
cartilage
● (5) The fibrous or outer peripheral layer of the
perichondrium

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 SCHOOL OF MEDICAL
LABORATORY SCIENCE HUMAN HISTOLOGY (LECTURE)
SAN PEDRO COLLEGE – MAIN
CAMPUS
Instructor’s Name: Dr. Vicheryl Lopez
AY 2022 – 2023 - 1ST SEMESTER MODULE NO.7/LESSON NO. 7

Figure 22. Elastic Cartilage in the Auricle of the Ear

FIBROCARTILAGE

Figure 20. Higher Magnification Elastic Cartilage: Ear

● (1) Elastic fibers which are those black protein fibers that is due
to the a silver stain
● (2) Chondrocytes within their lacunae
→ Note: The elastic fibers between the chondrocytes are so
dense that they render the matrix deeply basophilic.
Figure 23. Pubic Symphysis (Left) and Intervertebral Disk (Right)

● mixture of hyaline cartilage and dense bundles of coarse type I

collagen fibers in its matrix
● the extracellular matrix is low on proteoglycans and water
content, thus…
→ more acidophilic than that of hyaline and elastic cartilage
● provide tensile strength, bear weight, and resist stretch or
compression
● Location:
→ Intervertebral discs
→ Attachments of certain ligaments
→ Pubic symphysis
▪ Mnemonics: “IAP”
● lacks perichondrium
Figure 21. Summary of Elastic Cartilage

● Description: Similar to hyaline cartilage, but more elastic fibers

in matrix
● Function: Maintains the shape of a structure while allowing
great flexibility
→ The flexibility characteristic of elastic cartilage is due to the
elastic fibers
● Location: Supports the external ear (pinna); Epiglottis
● In the matrix, you can appreciate numerous fine branching
elastic fibers aside from the type 2 collagen fibers
Figure 24. Photo Microgrpah of Fibrocartilage from the
● Chondrocytes that lie in their lacunae Intervertebral Disc

● Perichondrium is absent in fibrocartilage

● The matrix of fibrocartilage is filled with type 1 collagen fibers
which frequently exhibit parallel arrangement as seen in
tendons
● Collagen fibers may be so dense that the matrix is invisible
● Small chondrocytes in lacunae are usually distributed in rows
→ Unlike that of hyaline or elastic cartilage, where the
chondrocytes are arranged in random or in isogenous groups
→ Chondrocytes in fibrocartilage are usually arranged in rows
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 SCHOOL OF MEDICAL
LABORATORY SCIENCE HUMAN HISTOLOGY (LECTURE)
SAN PEDRO COLLEGE – MAIN
CAMPUS
Instructor’s Name: Dr. Vicheryl Lopez
AY 2022 – 2023 - 1ST SEMESTER MODULE NO.7/LESSON NO. 7

● All chondrocytes and lacunae are of similar size ● These are the chondrocytes in the lacunae wherein these
chondrocytes are usually arranged in rows

Figure 27. Fibrocartilage in intervertebral disk

● Intervertebral is one of the locations of fibrocartilage

→ Histologically, this type of cartilage has abundant type 1
collagen fibers
Figure 25. Fibrous Cartilage/ Fibrocartilage: Intervertebral Disk → The chondrocytes in fibrocartilage are usually arranged in
rows
● (1) The chondrocytes which are arranged in rows.
→ Unlike that of elastic and hyaline cartilage where the D. IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE MAJOR
chondrocytes are arranged in random or singly or in CARTILAGE TYPES
isogenous group
● (2) Type one collagen fibers Table 1. Important Features of the Major Cartilage Types
→ In fibrocartilage, this thick type 1 collagen fibers HYALINE ELASTIC FIBROCARTIL
predominate, hence, the matrix itself, the hyaline cartilage, CARTILAGE CARTILAGE AGE
matrix is not that visible
→ fibrocartilage is a mixture of hyaline cartilage and dense Main features Homogeneous Type II Type II
type 1 collagen fibers of the , with type II collagen, collagen and
extracellular collagen and aggrecan, and large areas of
matrix aggrecan darker elastic dense
fibers connective
tissue with type
I collagen

Major cells Chondrocytes, Chondrocytes, Chondrocytes,

chondroblasts chondroblasts fibroblasts

Typical Isolated or in Usually in Isolated or in

arrangement small small isogenous
of isogenous isogenous groups
chondrocytes groups groups arranged
axially

Presences of Yes (except at Yes No

Figure 26. Summary of Fibrocartilage perichondrium epiphysis and
articular
cartilage)
● Fibrocartilage is a combination of hyaline cartilage and dense
connective tissue, specifically dense type 1 collagen fibers
→ these thick collagen fibers predominate in this cartilage Main locations Many External ear, Intervertebral
of examples components of external discs, pubic
● Description: Matrix similar to but less firm than that in hyaline upper acoustic symphysis,
cartilage; thick collagen fibers predominate respiratory meatus, meniscus, and
● Function: Tensile strength with the ability to absorb tract; articular auditory tube, certain other
compressive shock thus… ends and epiglottis and joints;
● Location: Intervertebral discs; pubic symphysis; discs of knee epiphyseal certain other insertions of
joint plates of long laryngeal tendons
● Histologically, you have the thick or dense collagen fibers, bones; fetal cartilages
skeleton
specifically dense type 1 collagen fibers because of this thick
collagen fibers or dense collagen fibers the matrix or the hyaline
Main functions Provides Provides Provides
cartilage matrix is not that visible.
smooth, flexible shape cushioning,

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 SCHOOL OF MEDICAL
LABORATORY SCIENCE HUMAN HISTOLOGY (LECTURE)
SAN PEDRO COLLEGE – MAIN
CAMPUS
Instructor’s Name: Dr. Vicheryl Lopez
AY 2022 – 2023 - 1ST SEMESTER MODULE NO.7/LESSON NO. 7

low-friction and support of tensile

surfaces in soft tissues strength, and
joints; resistance to
structural tearing and
support for compression
respiratory
tract

Figure 28. Summary of the Cartilages

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