•Specialized connective tissue

•Rigid, Elastic, Resilient -

RESISTS COMPRESSION
•AVascular –
nutrients diffuse through matrix
•No nerve supply & sensory receptors.
 PERICHONDRIUM
• Dense irregularly arranged
connective tissue (type II
collagen)
• Ensheaths the cartilage
• Houses the blood vessels
that nourish chondrocytes
• Composed of 2 layers:

1.Fibrous (outer)
Contains; collagen fibres, fibroblast, BV, lymphatic & nerves.

2. Cellular (inner)
Contains; fibroblast like cell i.e. chondrogenic cells (transform
into chondroblast)
 CHONDROBLAST
• Progenitor of chondrocytes
• Lines border between
perichondrium and matrix
• Secretes type II collagen and
other ECM components
• Chondroblasts (build)
 CHONDROCYTE
• Mature cartilage cell
• Reside in a space called the
lacunae
• Sometimes form groups of 2 or
3 - isogenic group.
• Chondrocytes have an elliptical
shape.
• Chondrocytes completely
fill their lacunae
• RER and euchromatic
nuclei
• Synthetically active, secrete N
matrix RER

Cartilage matrix
 CARTILAGE GROWTH
• Appositional
– Increasing in WIDTH;
chondroblasts deposit matrix on
surface of pre-existing cartilage

• Interstitial
– Increasing in LENGTH;
chondrocytes divide and secrete
matrix from w/in lacunae
 1. Interstitial growth during embryogenesis
•Mesenchymal cells will aggregate called centres of chondrification
and differentiate into closely knit clusters of chondroblasts.

•These cells will begin to secrete collagen and

mucopolysaccharide matrix.
•The matrix secretion will cause the chondroblasts to be
pushed apart.

•As this occurs, the cartilage cells will undergo

divisions and continue to secrete matrix.
•In the case of hyaline cartilage, this will result in some
small clusters of chondrocytes within the developing
matrix - isogenic groups.

•Eventually the ground substance becomes more rigid and

the cartilage cells (now chondrocytes) become trapped in
individual lacunae and can no longer be pushed apart by
secretion.
Copyright 2000 R. Nims & S.C. Kempf
• This sort of growth of cartilage is termed interstitial growth due
to the secretion of matrix into the interstitial regions between
cells or groups of cells.
 Appositional growth
“Growth from outside”
Chondroblasts in perichondrium (external covering of cartilage)
secrete matrix.
Appositional growth can continue after the perichondrium is formed.
This is accomplished by chondroblasts (and perhaps fibroblasts)
associated with the perichondrium secreting additional ground
substance.
TYPES OF CARTILAGE
• HYALINE

• ELASTIC

• FIBROUS
• FUNCTION
HYALINE CARTILAGE
– Support tissue and organs
– Model for bone development

• MATRIX
– Type II collagen (thin fibrils)
– Glycoprotein (chondronectin,
chondrocalcin)
– Proteoglycan.

• LOCATION
– Tracheal rings, nasal septum, larynx,
articular surfaces of joints, trachea &
bronchi.
• Covered by perichondrium.
• Fresh hyaline cartilage gives bluish white translucent
appearance.
• Territorial matrix - high amount of sulfated proteoglycans
• FUNCTION ELASTIC
– Support with flexibility CARTILAGE
• MATRIX
– Normal components of hyaline
matrix plus ELASTIC fibers
– Type II collagen fibrils
• Covered by perichondrium.
• LOCATION
– External ear, external auditory perichondrium
canal, epiglottis
 FIBROCARTILAGE
• FUNCTION
– Support with great tensile strength
(flexibility & rigidity)
• MATRIX
– Type I collagen

• LOCATION
– Intervertebral disks, pubic
symphysis, knee joint, shoulder
joint & hip joint.
 FIBROCARTILAGE
• Chondrocytes align between
collagen fibers
• Collagen fibers lie parallel to
lines of stress.
• Not surrounded by
perichondrium.
• Combination of dense regular
CT & hyaline cartilage.
The End