Information about Cartilaginous
Cartilage is a type of dense connective tissue. It is composed of collagen fibers and/or elastin fibers, and can supply smooth surfaces for the movement of articulating bones. Cartilage is found in many places in the body including the joints, the rib cage, the ear, the nose, the bronchial tubes and the intervertebral discs. There are three main types of cartilage: elastic, hyaline, and fibrocartilage.
Early in fetal development, the greater part of the skeleton is cartilaginous. As this cartilage is afterward replaced by bone, it is called temporary. In contrast, the cartilage in the joints remains unossified during the whole of life, and is called permanent.
Adult articular calcified cartilage is penetrated by vascular buds, and new bone produced in the vascular space in a process similar to endochondral ossification at the physis. A cement line demarcates articular calcified cartilage from subchondral bone.
Bioengineering techniques are being developed to generate new cartilage, using a cellular "scaffolding" material and cultured cells to grow artificial cartilage.
Cartilage cells can give rise to benign (chondroma) tumors. Malignant chondrosarcomas are tumors of bone, not cartilage.
Types of cartilage
There are three different types of cartilage, each with special characteristics adapted to their function.Elastic cartilage
Elastic cartilage (also called yellow cartilage) is found in the pinna of the ear and several tubes, such as the walls of the auditory (Eustachian) tubes and larynx and especially in the epiglottis. Cartilage is present to keep the tubes permanently open. Elastic cartilage is similar to hyaline cartilage but contains elastic bundles (elastin) scattered throughout the matrix. This provides a tissue which is stiff yet elastic.Hyaline cartilage
Hyaline cartilage is found in the nose, and it connects the ribs to the sternum. It is also required in the Endochondral development of bone. It has fibers scattered throughout its matrix, which looks glassy. Chondrocytes are found in the lacunae.Fibrocartilage
Fibrocartilage is found in between the vertebrae of the spinal column. It is very fibrous.Growth and development
Cartilage in fetal development
In embryogenesis, most of the skeletal system is derived from the mesoderm germ layer. Chondrification (also known as chondrogenesis) is the process in which cartilage is formed from condensed mesenchyme tissue, which differentiates into chondrocytes and begins secreting the materials that form the matrix.Early in fetal development, the greater part of the skeleton is cartilaginous. As this cartilage is afterward replaced by bone, it is called temporary. In contrast, the cartilage in the joints remains unossified during the whole of life, and is called permanent.
Mineralisation
Adult hyaline articular cartilage is progressively mineralised at the junction between cartilage and bone. It is then termed articular calcified cartilage. A mineralisation front advances through the base of the hyaline articular cartilage at a rate dependent on cartilage load and shear stress. Intermittent variations in the rate of advance and mineral deposition density of the mineralising front, lead to multiple tidemarks in the articular calcified cartilage.Adult articular calcified cartilage is penetrated by vascular buds, and new bone produced in the vascular space in a process similar to endochondral ossification at the physis. A cement line demarcates articular calcified cartilage from subchondral bone.
Growth
Two types of growth can occur in cartilage: appositional and interstitial. Appositional growth results in the increase of the diameter or thickness of the cartilage. The new cells derive from the perichondrium and occur on the surface of the cartilage model. Interstitial growth results in an increase of cartilage mass and occurs from within. Chondrocytes undergo mitosis within their lacuna, but remain imprisoned in the matrix, which results in clusters of cells called isogenous groups.Repair
Cartilage generally has very limited repair capabilities. Because chondrocytes are bound in lacunae, they cannot easily migrate to damaged areas and lay down new matrix. Damaged cartilage is usually replaced by fibrocartilage scar tissue.Diseases / Medicine
There are several diseases which can affect the cartilage. Chondrodystrophies are a group of diseases characterized by disturbance of growth and subsequent ossification of cartilage. Some common diseases affecting/involving the cartilage are listed below.- Arthritis: The cartilage covering bones in joints (articular cartilage) is degraded, resulting in movement limitation and pain.
- Achondroplasia: Reduced proliferation of chondrocytes in the epiphyseal plate of long bones results in a form of dwarfism.
- Costochondritis: Inflammation of cartilage in the ribs which causes chest pain
- Herniated disk: Asymmetrical compression of a disk ruptures the cartilage ring, causing tissue to herniate into the spinal canal.
Bioengineering techniques are being developed to generate new cartilage, using a cellular "scaffolding" material and cultured cells to grow artificial cartilage.
Cartilage cells can give rise to benign (chondroma) tumors. Malignant chondrosarcomas are tumors of bone, not cartilage.
Invertebrate cartilage
Cartilage tissue can also be found among invertebrates such as horseshoe crabs, marine snails, and cephalopods.See also
- Biomechanics
- Chondroplasty
- Connective tissue
- Endochondral ossification
- Knee Cartilage Replacement Therapy
- Shark cartilage
External links
- University of Kansas Medical Center Cartilage tutorial
- Public domain text from Gray's anatomy dated 1918, so probably needs updating
- I've heard 'Ears and nose do not ever stop growing.' Is this false?
Bone and cartilage | |
|---|---|
| Cartilage | chondroblast, chondrocyte, perichondrium, types (hyaline, elastic, fibrous), fibrocartilage callus, metaphysis |
| Bone | ossification (intramembranous, endochondral, epiphyseal plate), cycle (osteoblast, osteoid, osteocyte, osteoclast), types (cancellous, cortical), regions (epiphysis, diaphysis), structure (osteon/Haversian system, Haversian canals, endosteum, periosteum, Sharpey's fibres, enthesis, lacunae, canaliculi, trabeculae, medullary cavity, bone marrow), shapes (long, short, flat, irregular, sesamoid) |
Connective tissue is one of the four types of tissue in traditional classifications (the others being epithelial, muscle, and nervous tissue.) It is largely a category of exclusion rather than one with a precise definition, but all or most tissues in this category are similarly:
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Collagen is the main protein of connective tissue in animals and the most abundant protein in mammals, [1] making up about 25% of the total protein content.
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Uses
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Elastin is a protein in connective tissue that is elastic and allows many tissues in the body to resume their shape after stretching or contracting. Elastin helps skin to return to its original position when it is poked or pinched.
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The human rib cage is a part of the human skeleton within the thoracic area. A typical human ribcage consists of 24 ribs, 12 on each side of the thoracic cavity, the sternum and the 12 thoracic vertebrae in both males and females.
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outer ear is the most external portion of the ear. The outer ear includes the pinnae (also called auricle), the ear canal, and the very most superficial layer of the ear drum (also called the tympanic membrane).
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nose is a protuberance in vertebrates that houses the nostrils, or nares, which admit and expel air for respiration in conjunction with the mouth.
In most humans, it also houses the nosehairs, which catch airborne particles and prevent them from reaching the lungs.
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In most humans, it also houses the nosehairs, which catch airborne particles and prevent them from reaching the lungs.
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A bronchus (plural bronchi, adjective bronchial) is a caliber of airway in the respiratory tract that conducts air into the lungs. No gas exchange takes place in this part of the lungs.
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Intervertebral discs (or intervertebral fibrocartilage) lie between adjacent vertebrae in the spine. Each disc forms a cartilaginous joint to allow slight movement of the vertebrae, and acts as a ligament to hold the vertebrae together.
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Elastic cartilage is a type of cartilage present in the outer ear, larynx, and epiglottis which contains fibers made of elastin.
Elastic cartilage, histologically is similar to hyaline cartilage but contains a plethora of elastic fibers.
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Elastic cartilage, histologically is similar to hyaline cartilage but contains a plethora of elastic fibers.
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The pinna (Latin for feather) is the visible part of the ear that resides outside of the head (this may also be referred to as the auricle or auricula).
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Purpose
The purpose of the pinna is to collect sound...... Click the link for more information.
The Eustachian tube (or auditory tube) is a tube that links the pharynx to the middle ear. In adults the Eustachian tube is approximately 35 mm long. It is named after the 16th century anatomist Eustachius.
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The larynx (plural larynges), colloquially known as the voicebox, is an organ in the neck of mammals involved in protection of the trachea and sound production.
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Elastin is a protein in connective tissue that is elastic and allows many tissues in the body to resume their shape after stretching or contracting. Elastin helps skin to return to its original position when it is poked or pinched.
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Hyaline cartilage consists of a slimy mass of a firm consistency, but of considerable elasticity and pearly bluish color. It contains no nerves or blood vessels, and its structure is relatively simple.
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Chondrocytes (from Greek chondros cartilage + kytos cell) are the only cells found in cartilage. They produce and maintain the cartilaginous matrix, which consists mainly of collagen and proteoglycans.
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White fibrocartilage consists of a mixture of white fibrous tissue and cartilaginous tissue in various proportions; to the former of these constituents it owes its flexibility and toughness, and to the latter its elasticity.
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Embryogenesis is the process by which the embryo is formed and develops. It starts with the fertilization of the ovum, egg, which, after fertilization, is then called a zygote.
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skeleton or skeletal system is the biological system providing physical support in living organisms. (By extension, non-biological outline structures such as gantries or buildings may also acquire skeletons.
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Mesenchyme (also known as embryonic connective tissue) is the mass of tissue that develops mainly from the mesoderm (the middle layer of the trilaminar germ disc) of an embryo. Viscous in consistency, mesenchyme contains collagen bundles and fibroblasts.
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Chondrocytes (from Greek chondros cartilage + kytos cell) are the only cells found in cartilage. They produce and maintain the cartilaginous matrix, which consists mainly of collagen and proteoglycans.
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Ossification is the process of bone formation, in which connective tissues, such as cartilage are turned to bone or bone-like tissue. The ossified tissue is invaginated with blood vessels. These blood vessels bring minerals like calcium and deposit it in the ossifying tissue.
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Endochondral ossification is one of two types of bone formation (ossification) and is the process responsible for much of the bone growth in vertebrate skeletons, especially in long bones.
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Physis (φύσις) is a Greek theological, philosophical, and scientific term usually translated into English as "nature". In the Odyssey, Homer uses the word once (its earliest known occurrence), referring to the intrinsic way of growth of a particular species
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Bones are rigid organs that form part of the endoskeleton of vertebrates. They function to move, support, and protect the various organs of the body, produce red and white blood cells and store minerals.
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MeSH D001168 Arthritis (from Greek arthro-, joint + -itis, inflammation; plural: arthritides) is a group of conditions where there is damage caused to the joints of the body. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability in people over the age of 55.
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Achondroplasia
Classification & external resources
ICD-10 Q 77.4
ICD-9 756.4
OMIM 100800
DiseasesDB 80
eMedicine radio/809
MeSH C16.320.240.
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Classification & external resources
ICD-10 Q 77.4
ICD-9 756.4
OMIM 100800
DiseasesDB 80
eMedicine radio/809
MeSH C16.320.240.
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Dwarfism
Classification & external resources
ICD-9 253.3 , 259.4
Dwarfism refers to a condition of extreme small size of a person, animal, or plant. Any type of marked human smallness could be termed dwarfism in older popular and medical usage.
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Classification & external resources
ICD-9 253.3 , 259.4
Dwarfism refers to a condition of extreme small size of a person, animal, or plant. Any type of marked human smallness could be termed dwarfism in older popular and medical usage.
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MeSH D013991 Tietze's syndrome, also known as costochondritis, is a benign inflammation of one or more of the costal cartilages. It was first described in 1921 by the German surgeon Alexander Tietze (1864-1927).
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Hernia
Classification & external resources
ICD-10 K40-K46
ICD-9 550 - 553
MedlinePlus 000960
eMedicine emerg/251 ped/2559
A hernia
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Classification & external resources
ICD-10 K40-K46
ICD-9 550 - 553
MedlinePlus 000960
eMedicine emerg/251 ped/2559
A hernia
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Intervertebral discs (or intervertebral fibrocartilage) lie between adjacent vertebrae in the spine. Each disc forms a cartilaginous joint to allow slight movement of the vertebrae, and acts as a ligament to hold the vertebrae together.
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