BIOL125 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Ulna, Synovial Fluid, Synovial Membrane
BIOL week 4 LB Skeleton and joints
Hyaline cartilage
- Most abundant skeletal cartilage
- Flexible but resilient
- Histology:
oChondrocytes singly or as cell nests embedded in an amorphous matrix
oMatrix has densely-packed collagen fibres and homogenous appearance
- Examples:
oArticular on moveable bones in joints
oCostal connect ribs to sternum
oRespiratory structure of larynx, reinforce trachea and bronchi
oNasal supports external nose
Fibrocartilage
- Histology
oRows of chondrocytes
oAlternating layers of hyaline cartilage matrix and thick layers of dense
collagen fibres
oMore collagen than in hyaline cartilage
- Fibrocartilage can be highly compressed
oHas great tensile strength
At sites subject to stretch and pressure; eg: menisci of knee,
intervertebral discs, pubic symphysis
oOften replaces damaged hyaline cartilage at end of long bones
Problem: has no such great weight-bearing ability as hyaline cartilage,
gets easily damaged here osteoarthritis
Elastic cartilage
- Histology
oHas cell nests and elastic fibres in matrix
oThe extracellular matrix is similar to that of hyaline cartilage but the high
amount of elastin may be made visible
oThe elastin particularly dense near the chondrocytes
- Highly flexible and therefore particularly beneficial to withstand repeated bending
- Examples external ear and epiglottis
Types of cartilage
TYPE LOCATION FUNCTION
Hyaline - Most abundant
- Ends of long bones
- Anterior ends of
rubs
- Nose
- Parts of the larynx
- Trachea
- Bronchi
- Provides smooth
surface for
movement at joints
- Flexibility and
support
- Weakest type of
cartilage
- Can be fractured
Fibrocartilage - Pubic symphysis
- Intervertebral discs
- Menisci of knee
- Provides support
and joins structures
together
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