CARTILAGE

By
Dr. Naglaa Bayomy
 CARTILAGE
1-Definition:
• Supportive CT with firm matrix (rigid with some flexibility.)
2-Origin:
mesenchyme.
• Mesenchymal cells multiply → condensation. chondrification centers
• Superficial cells → chondroblasts & fibroblasts.
• Central cells → chondrocytes
Types-3
• Hyaline cartilage: Contains type II collagen in its matrix
• Elastic cartilage: Contains type II collagen in its matrix and abundant elastic
fibers
• Fibro-cartilage: possesses dense, coarse type I collagen fibers in its matrix,
allowing it to withstand strong tensile forces
Characters-4
• Perichondrium.
• Avascular.
• Cells can divide.
 Perichondrium
Definition: 2
• External cover.
• Dense CT.
Present in: 2
• Hyaline cartilage (except at articular joints).
• Elastic cartilage.
Absent in: 2
• Articular joints in hyaline cartilage.
• Fibrocartilage.
Layers: 2
• Outer fibrous (collagen I , BV). It provides O2
• + nutrients to the cartilage cells.
• Inner cellular (Inner chondrogenic layer):
• (It is formed of chondrogenic cells.
• It is responsible for appositional growth of
• cartilage (growth in width).
Functions: 2
• Protection & Nutrition.
• Growth of cartilage from outside (appositional).
 Avascular
Metabolism is anaerobic.

Nutrition: If Perichondrium is present:

• By Diffusion from BV.

iNutrition: If Perichondrium is absent:

• By Synovial fluid in hyaline cartilage of articular surfaces.
• By Surrounding C.T. in fibrocartilage.

Cell division

• Chondrocytes can divide forming cell nest.

 Structure-5

(1) Cells: 2
• Chondroblasts
• Chondrocytes

(2) Matrix: 2
a) Fibers:
different according to type of cartilage.
• Hyaline cartilage: collagen II
• Elastic cartilage: collagen II & elastic
• Fibro-cartilage: collagen I

b) Ground substance:
• Hyaluronic acid.
• PG.
• GP.
 HYALINE CARTILAGE-6
It is the most common type of cartilage
A-Colour:
• Fresh → bluish white & translucent.
B-Sites:
most common
1-Fetal skeleton
2-Epiphyseal plate
3-Articular surfaces of long bone.
4-Costal cartilages
5-Large airways (nose, larynx, trachea and bronchi)
C-Functions:
1-Growth of long bones before & after birth (site 1+2).
2-Sliding of joints (site 3).
3-Support soft tissue (all sites).
D-Structure:
• Cells: Chondrogenic cells ,Chondroblasts & Chondrocytes
• Matrix: Fibers & Ground substance.
A) Chondrogenic cells
Origin: They arise from the mesenchymal cells.
 Site: inner layer of perichondrium .
 Shape: spindle shape.
 Nuclei: oval & central.
 Function: change into chondroblasts during appositional growth
B- Chondroblasts
Definition:
young surface chondrocytes without lacunae.
Origin: These are the activated chondrogenic cells.
Site:
peripheral in cellular layer of perichondrium.
L/M:
Spindle-shaped, basophilic cytoplasm, pale nucleus.
E/M:
Protein secreting cells (RER, Golgi, mitochondria
& nucleus with extended chromatin).
Function:
Synthesize matrix.
Appositional growth
 C) Chondrocytes
• Definition:
• mature deep chondrocytes inside lacunae.
• Site:
• Deeper In lacunae (cells fill lacuna during life & shrink after preparation).
L/M:
 Shape: Oval near the periphery & rounded deep in the cartilage.
 Cytoplasm: basophilic.
 Nucleus: central, rounded & vesicular
E/M:
 Young chondrocytes have numerous organoids for protein
– synthesis (rER, prominent Golgi & mitochondria).
 Old cells have fewer organoids.
• Cell nests:
• Isogenous groups up to 8 cells in same lacuna
due to mitotic division of one cell.
• Function:
Synthesize matrix.
Interstitial growth.
 II-Matrix
• Fibers.
• Ground substance.
a- Fibers:
• Collagen II : 40% of its dry weight in collagen
• not seen by L/M forming translucent matrix due to:
1-Submicroscopic fibrils (seen only by EM).
2-Refractive index of fibrils same as ground substance
So the matrix appears to be an amorphous, homogeneous mass with the
light microscope.
b- Ground substance:
Hyaluronic acid (non sulphated GAGs).
GP (chondronectin adhere chondrocytes to collagen).
PG ( protein core + sulphated GAGs as chondroitin 4-sulfate, chondroitin
6-sulfate, and heparan sulfate).

Aggrecans: Proteoglycans aggregates: up to 200 proteoglycans

associated with long molecule of hyaluronic acid.
Character:
 It is rigid with some flexibility (rubbery).
 Tissue fluid constitutes 75% of its weight.
 It allows diffusion of oxygen and nutrients
from perichondrium.
 It is non vascular.
Parts:
a-Capsular (territorial) matrix: around each
lacuna.
b-Intercapsular (Interterritorial) matrix: between
capsules.
• Capsular matrix: more basophilic,
metachromatic & PAS+ve since it is rich in
ground substance & poor in fibers.
• Function : protect chondrocytes
•
 ELASTIC CARTILAGE -7
Similar to hyaline cartilage except that:
• Collagen II & Elastic fibers.
• Yellow colourIt is stained with special stains of elastic fibers:
Verhoeff’s stain black.
• Less susceptible to degeneration.
• Site: 4e
(ear pinna, external auditory canal, eustachian tube, epiglottis).
• Function: Flexible.
• Function: shock absorber. FIBRO-CARTILAGE-8
• Sites:
1. Interverterbal disks & symphasis pubis..
2. Semilunar cartilage of knee joints.

• Structure:
 It differs from hyaline cartilage in:
Perichondrium: is absent -1 •
Chondrocytes: are arranged in rows between the collagen -2 •
.bundles
:Matrix -3
 It contains large number of collagen type I which are arranged in bundles between the
rows of chondrocytes.
 It is more tense and stronger.
 Growth of cartilage-9
Types: 2
Interstitial growth.
• Growth from inside.
• Due to division of chondrocytes.
• Occurs in early cartilage, epiphyseal plate & articular cartilage.

Appositional growth:
• Growth from outside.
• Due to division of chondroblasts.
• When chondroblasts surround themselves with the matrix, they become chondrocytes
• More pronounced than interstitial growth.
Factors affecting growth:
• Stimulated by GH, thyroxin & testosterone.
• Inhibited by cortisone, hydrocortisone & estradiol.
Degeneration & regeneration
• Degeneration (calcification of the matrix) increase with age.
• Regeneration is slow & occurs by perichondrium.
• In extensively damage area, perichondrium produces a scar of dense connective tissue.