Cartilage consists of cells (chondrocytes)

and an extensive extracellular matrix

composed of fibers and ground substance.
3 forms of cartilage have evolved, each
exhibiting variations in matrix composition:
1. Hyaline cartilage
2. Elastic cartilage
3. Fibrocartilage
1. Hyaline cartilage: in the articular surfaces of the
movable joints; the walls of larger respiratory
passages (nose, larynx, trachea, bronchi); the
ventral ends of ribs; and in the epyphyseal
plates of bones
2. Elastic cartilage: in the auricle of the ear; the
walls of the external auditory canals, the
auditory tubes, the epiglottis, and the cuneiform
cartilage in the larynx
3. Fibrocartilage: in the intervertebral disks; and in
articular menisci
Perichondrium: outer layer (stratum fibrosum)
type I collagen, inner layer (stratum
chondroblasticum) rich of cells
The unit of cartilages: chondron
Chondrocyte: only one cell, or little groups of
cells, roundish shape, spherical nucleus
In hyaline cartilage: 2-4 chondrocytes
In elastic cartilage: 1-2 chondrocytes
In fibrous cartilage: 1 chondrocyte
Lacuna
Pericellular matrix
Territorial/capsular matrix
Interterritorial matrix
 Schematic representation of hyaline cartilage

perichondrium

chondron
lacuna

interterritorial
chondrocyte matrix

pericellular matrix territorial/capsular matrix

Slide 7, Hyaline cartilage (HE), 10X

chondrons

interterritorial matrix

stratum chondroblasticum
perichondrium
stratum fibrosum
Slide 7, Hyaline cartilage (HE), 40X

lacuna

chondrocytes

pericellular matrix

territorial matrix

chondron

interterritorial matrix
To identify the parts of hyaline cartilage:
perichondrium
chondron
chondrocyte
pericellular matrix
territorial matrix
interterritorial matrix
lacuna
Slide 8, ear (orcein+H), 10X

perichondrium

chondrons

perichondrium
Slide 8, ear (orcein+H), 40X

chondrocytes

elastic fibers

chondron
To identify the components of the elastic
cartilage:
elastic fiber
chondron
chondrocyte
Slide 9, Articular menisc (HE), 40X

chondrocytes

collagen fibers
To identify the parts of the fibrocartilage:
chondrocytes
collagen fibers
 Schematic drawing of the bone

outer circumferential lamellae

Haversian system (osteon)

compact bone
Inner circumferential
lamellae

cancellous
(spongy) bone
osteocyte
Haversian
canal
Volkmann s
canal
Slide 10, Bone (ground section) 10X

outer circumferential lamellae

Volkmann s canal
Haversian canal
osteon

interstitial lamellae

osteocytes

inner circumferential lamellae

Slide 10, Bone (ground section) 40X

Haversian canal

osteocytes

osteon
To recognize the following structures:
osteon
outer and inner circumferential lamellae
interstitial lamellae
osteocyte
Volkmann s canal
Haversian canal
Enchondral
ossification
Slide 11, Enchondral ossification (HE) 4X

bone marrow

bone spicules

skeletal muscle

enchondral ossification
Slide 11, Enchondral ossification (HE) 10X

resting zone

bone marrow
proliferative zone

hypertrofic cartilage zone

bone spicule ossification zone

To identify:
enchondral ossification with its zones
bone marrow
bone spicules
skeletal muscle
adipose tissue