Cartilage

1. Cartilage Histology

2. What is Cartilage?
• It is a tough, flexible form of connective tissue

3. Components
• Cells---chondrocytes
• Extracellular matrix---gycosaminoglycans,
proteoglycans, collagen and elastic fibers

4. Types of Cartilage
• 3 types---based on composition of
extracellular matrix and cells present.

5. Common Features
• All cartilages are avascular
• No lymphatics
• No nerves
• All types of cartilage consist of hyaluronic acid,
proteoglycans, glycoproteins and collagen
fibers.

6. Hyaline Cartilage
• Most common type
• Has type II collagen fibers

7. Hyaline Cartilage---Identification
Points
• Perichondrium---dense irregular connective
tissue (fibrous layer)
• Extracellular matrix—homogenous—glassy
appearance---basophilic
• Chondrocytes within lacunae
• Isogenous groups of chondrocytes

9. Fibrocartilage---Identification Points
• No perichondrium
• Parallel arrangement of collagen fibers
• Small chondrocytes—no size variation---
arranged in parallel rows
• Scanty matrix

11. Elastic Cartilage—Identification Points
• Perichondrium present
• Elastic and collagen fibers in matrix
• Basophilic ground substance around lacunae
• Chondrocytes in isogenous groups in matrix
• Chondroblasts and chondrogenic cells in
matrix