Cartilage is a specialized,
semi-rigid connective/supporting tissue characterized mainly by
The predominance of ground
substance in the extracellular matrix.
The ground substance contains
varying amounts of collagen and elastic fibers, giving rise to
three broad categories or types of cartilage.
Hyaline cartilage, the most common
type, contains the smallest proportion of fibrous material in its
ground substance. Examine the cartilage in the trachea and the
larynx (slides 2, 7
and Figs. 7-1 and 7-2).
Identify perichondrium,
Chondroblasts,
Chondrocytes,
Lacunae
What causes the chondrocytes to
frequently be clustered?
The perichondrium is an example
of what tissue type studied previously?
Clinical
note: The avascularity of cartilage limits its size
according to the distance small molecules can diffuse through the
matrix to nourish the chondrocytes. The matrix is a barrier to the
entry of large proteins like immunoglobulins and also to
lymphocytes, which is important for the practice of reconstructive
and cosmetic surgery since cartilage can be transplanted from one
individual to another without rejection by the immune system.
Clinical
note: The avascularity of cartilage limits its size
according to the distance small molecules can diffuse through the
matrix to nourish the chondrocytes. The matrix is a barrier to the
entry of large proteins like immunoglobulins and also to
lymphocytes, which is important for the practice of reconstructive
and cosmetic surgery since cartilage can be transplanted from one
individual to another without rejection by the immune system.