HISTOLOGY OF CARTILAGE

BY
DR. MUDASSAR ALI ROOMI (MBBS, M. Phil.)

cartilage
One of the skeletal tissue, the other being the bone. Rigid in nature like bone Like all other C.T it has cells and intercellular matrix. Intercellular matrix= fibers +ground substance in cartilage, the ground substance has mainly chondroitin SO4. In bone the ground substance is mainly impregnated with inorganic salts.

Features of the cartilage

Avascular No lymphatics No nerves

Perichondrium
Found on peripheries of non-articular hyaline and elastic cartilage (MCS) It has got two layers: 1. fibrous layer: Peripheral layer is dense vascular connective tissue with type I collagen 2. cellular layer: Inner layer is chondrogenic and gives rise to chondroblasts that secrete cartilage matrix Articular hyaline cartilage of bones and fibrocartilage not lined by perichondrium (MCQ)

Cartilage Matrix
Produced and maintained by chondrocytes and chondroblasts Contains large GAGs, proteoglycan aggregates and is highly hydrated Allows diffusion and is semi rigid shock absorber GAGs: chondroitin SO4, Keratan SO4 and hyaluronic acid Adhesive glycoprotein chondronectin binds cells and fibrils to surrounding matrix

Cartilage Cells
Primitive mesenchyme cells differentiate into chondroblasts that synthesize the matrix Mature cartilage cells, chondrocytes, become enclosed in lacunae Inner layer of surrounding connective tissue perichondrium is chondrogenic Chondroblasts enlarge the cartilage

Hyaline Cartilage
Most common cartilage in the body Hyaline= glass like Covered by perichondrium serves as a skeletal model for most bones (MCQ) Replaced by bone during endochondral ossification Contains type II collagen fibrils (MCQ) Fibers are invisible Under light microscope because the refractive index of type II collagen fibers and that of ground substance is the same (MCQ)

Hyaline Cartilage

Hyaline Cartilage

Hyaline Cartilage

Distribution of hyaline cartilage

Articular cartilage (no perichondrium) Costal cartilages Nasal cartilages Cricoid, thyroid and arytenoid cartilages of larynx 5. Cartilages of trachea and bronchi 6. Epiphyseal cartilage of growing long bones. 1. 2. 3. 4.

hyaline cartilage

Elastic Cartilage
Contains branching elastic fibers in matrix and is highly flexible The fibers are visible but of elastic variety. Occurs at places where support with flexibilty is required. Type II collagen fibers also present here (MCQ) This cartilage is covered by perichondium (MCQ)

Elastic Cartilage

Distribution of Elastic cartilage

1. Auricle of the External ear 2. Cartilagenous part of the External auditary meatus 3. Epiglotis 4. Eustachian tube 5. Smal laryngeal cartilages (cuneiform and corniculate)

Fibrocartilage
Filled with dense bundles of type I collagen fibers (MCQ) that alternate with cartilage matrix Chondrocytes are arranged in rows. Not covered by perichondrium (MCQ) function: Provides tensile strength, bears weight, and resists compression

Fibrocartilage

Histology of Fibrocartilage

fibrocartilage

Distribution of fibrocartilage
Intervertebral disc Disc of the pubic symphysis Intra-articular discs e.g. semilunar cartilages (menisci) of the knee joint Glenoid labrum (of shoulder joint) Acetabular labrum (of hip joint)

Functions of cartilage
1. Support soft tissues of the body 2. Provides smooth sliding surfaces in the joints to facilitate the movements 3. Cartilage is essential for the growth of long bones before and after birth