BMS 250 Chapter 7: BMS 250 Chapter 7 Part 4
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7. 2f microscopic anatomy: hyaline cartilage connective tissue: hyaline cartilage contains a population of cells scattered throughout a glassy appearing matrix of protein fibers embedded within a gel like ground substance. This ground substance is similar to that of bone in that it includes proteoglycans, such as chondroitin sulfate, but it differs from bone because its inorganic salts do not include calcium. This makes hyaline cartilage both resilient and flexible. Additionally, cartilage also contains a high percentage of water(cid:345)6(cid:326)-7(cid:326)%(cid:346). The high water content makes it highly compressible, allowing hyaline cartilage to function as a good shock absorber: chondroblasts are derived from mesenchymal cells and they produce the cartilage matrix. Once chondroblasts become encased within the matrix they have produced and secreted, the cells are called chondrocytes and occupy small spaces called lacunae. Hyaline cartilage-except articular cartilage- is covered by a dense irregular connective tissue sheet called the perichondrium that helps maintain its shape. Mature cartilage is avascular and contains no nerves.
