Cartilage is a form of CT that forms the supportive framework of certain organs, the articulating surface of bones and the greater part of the fetal skeleton. The cartilage of the fetal skeleton is eventually replaced by bone. Three types of cartilage will be studied in today’s lab: hyaline cartilage, elastic cartilage and fibrocartilage. Cartilage is a nonvascular and pliable, yet strong, material composed of proteoglycan matrix. Embedded in this matrix are the fibrous and cellular components of cartilage.


Learning objectives for this unit:

• Recognize the microscopic features of both the matrix and the cells in cartilage and bone.
• Understand the structural and functional differences among types of cartilage.
• Understand the microscopic structure of bone and the functional significance of osteons

Let's take a look at some tissues.