SPECIALIZED CONNECTIVE TISSUES

CARTILAGE

Bone and Cartilage: Why are they Connective Tissues?

Both have:
– Cells, extracellular fibers, and matrix
– Collagen & Elastic fibers
– Glycoproteins: Gel-like matrix
– Fibroblast-type cells
– Chondroblasts/chondrocytes Molecular organization in cartilage matrix. Link proteins
Osteoblasts/osteocytes noncovalently bind the protein core of proteoglycans to
– General functions of mechanical & physiological the linear hyaluronic acid molecules. The chondroitin
support and protection sulfate side chains of the proteoglycan electrostatically
– Structural framework bind to the collagen fibrils, forming a cross-linked
– Reserves of Calcium & Phosphorus matrix. The oval outlines the area shown larger in the
– Interrelated with other CT’s in history and lower part of the figure.
development
Cells
Cartilage Fibroblast-like – progenitor cells
– A specialized CT in which the firm ECM allows - Cells in the perichondrium (inner layer)
the tissue to bear mechanical stresses without - Also referred as Chondrogenic cells
permanent distortion. - Undergo mitosis and differentiate into --
– SOLID yet FLEXIBLE Chondroblasts
- Synthesize the precursors of extracellular fibers
Ground substance and other organic subs. in the matrix
Proteoglycans - When surrounded by the matrix, they acquire
– Sulfated GAGs – keratan sulfate, chondroitin lacunae and transform into --
sulfate Chondrocytes
– Non-sulfated GAG – hyalurinic acid (backbone - Cells in the matrix, still mitotic, still synthesizing
of the complex) the materials in the matrix.
Glycoproteins Chondrocytes
– Chondronectin and chondrocalcin - Vary in shape and size
No mineral (inorganic) component o Elliptical; parallel to the cart. surface -
– No calcium salt young
Water (tissue fluid) o Round – mature cartilage
– Highly hydrated (75%) - Cytoplasm – finely granular, basophilic
- Well developed rER and Golgi c.- secretory
Fibers - Inclusions – fat droplets, glycogen granules
- Ground substance components interact with - Possess cytoplasmic processes
the fibers. - Nucleus – ovoid; chromatin concentated on
- Variations in the composition of these matrix inner nuclear mem.; 1 or more nucleoli
components produce three types of cartilage.
Collagen fibers
- Collagen Type I – in fibrocartilage
- Collagen Type II – in hyaline cartilage
(Except in articular cartilage)
Elastic fibers - in elastic cartilage
Cartilage development Cartilage Nutrition
- Mesenchymal cells differentiated into - Chondrocytes respire under low O2 tension since it
chondroblasts which became its precursorial cells. is devoid of capillaries.
- Chondroblast mitosis  isogenous groups grow and - Metabolize glucose mainly by anaerobic glycolysis
begin synthesis of ground substance and fibrous to produce lactic acid.
extracellular (EC) materials. - Nutrients from the blood cross the perichondrium
- Secretion of EC materials trap each chondroblasts in to reach more deeply placed cartilage cells by
the matrix thereby separating the cells (interstitial diffusion and transport of water and solute
growth). promoted by the pumping action of intermittent
- Chondrocytes develop and maintain matrix cartilage compression and decompression.
integrity.
Articular cartilage
- Which covers the
surfaces of the bones of
movable joints.
Devoid of perichondrium
- This cartilage is
sustained by the diffusion of
oxygen and nutrients from the
synovial fluid.

Articular cartilage - devoid of

Develops from somites and somatopleure of mesoderm perichondrium
(mesenchyme)
A. mesenchyme condenses to form cellular primordium Types of Cartilage
B. chondroblasts form and begin secreting matrix - Hyaline cartilage
C. cells separate from chondrocytes - Elastic cartilage
D. cartilage grows by interstitial growth – isogenous - Fibrocartilage
groups.
Hyaline Cartilage
The most common and best studied of
the three forms.
Fresh hyaline cartilage - bluish-white
and translucent.
In embryo: A temporary skeleton until
it is gradually replaced by bone.
Perichondrium is well-defined.
There are no capillaries
within the cartilage matrix. Hyaline Cartilage =
Trachea
Perichondrium harbors the
vascular supply for the Hyaline cartilage
avascular cartilage and also In adult mammals - This
contains nerves and cartilage is located in
lymphatic vessels. the:
- articular surfaces of the
Perichondrium movable joints
is a sheath of dense irregular - walls of larger
CT that surrounds cartilage in respiratory passages (nose, larynx, trachea,
most places, forming an bronchi),
interface between the
cartilage and the tissue supported by the cartilage.
 - ventral ends of ribs, where they articulate with
the sternum
- epiphyseal plate, where it is responsible for the
longitudinal growth of bone.

Hyaline Cartilage = Nose

Articular cartilage on surfaces of
movable joints
Ventral ends of ribs, where
cartilage articulate with the
sternum.
Elastic cartilage
- Its elasticity is derived from the presence of
numerous bundles of branching elastic fibres in the
cartilage matrix
- This network of elastic fibres (stained black in this
preparation) is particularly dense in the immediate
vicinity of the chondrocytes.
- Perichondrium is defined.
- Collagen (stained red) is also a major constituent of
the cartilage matrix and makes up the bulk of the
perichondrium P intermingled with a few elastic
fibres.
- Found in the auricle of the ear
- Walls of the external auditory canals
- The auditory (eustachian) tubes
- The epiglottis
- Cuneiform cartilage in the larynx. - utilizes the
structural support and flexibility which elastic
cartilage provides. Leaf-shaped flap of tissue, the
epiglottis, closes the opening into the larynx during
swallowing.

Epiphyseal plate, where it is responsible for the

longitudinal growth of bone
Larynx, thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage, trachea

Elastic Cartilage
Fresh form – yellowish due to elastin in the fibers.
Identical to hyaline cartilage except that it contains an
abundant network of fine elastic fibers in addition to
collagen type II fibrils.
Fibrocartilage
- A tissue intermediate between dense connective
tissue and hyaline cartilage.
- It is always associated with dense CT, and the
border areas between these two tissues are not
clear-cut, showing a gradual transition.
- Chondrocytes are either singly or in isogenous
groups, arranged in long rows separated by coarse
collagen type I fibers. Because it is rich in collagen
type I, the fibrocartilage matrix is acidophilic.
- Perichondrium is poorly defined.
- Found where strong support and the ability to
withstand heavy pressure are required.
- Intervertebral disks
- Attachments of certain ligaments to the
cartilaginous surface of bones (bone to bone)
- And in the symphysis pubis.
Intervertebral Disks (IVD)
- IVD are symphysial joints that unite vertebral
bodies.
- Permit movement between the vertebral bodies
while maintaining a union of great strength.
- Acts as a lubricated cushion that prevents adjacent
vertebrae from being eroded by abrasive forces
during movement of the spinal column.
- The IVDs have two components: the fibrous
annulus fibrosus (AF) and the nucleus pulposus
(NP).
- The nucleus pulposus serves as a shock absorber to
cushion the impact between vertebrae.
Annulus fibrosus
- External layer of dense CT
- Mainly composed of overlapping laminae of
fibrocartilage in which collagen bundles are
orthogonally arranged in adjacent layers.
- The multiple lamellae provide the disk with unusual
resilience that enables it to withstand the pressures
generated by impinging vertebrae.
Nucleus pulposus
- Derived from the embryonic notochord
- Consists of a few rounded cells embedded in a
viscous matrix rich in hyaluronic acid and type II
collagen fibrils
- In children, the nucleus pulposus is large, but it
gradually becomes smaller with age and is partially
replaced by fibrocartilage.
Pubic symphysis
Growth of cartilage tissues
Interstitial growth
- Expands the cartilage within matrix.
- Also for growth in length of long bones.
- Endogenous growth.
- Possible only in young cartilage.
Appositional growth
- Occurs at the edges of cartilaginous structures.
- Exogenous growth
- A function of the perichondrium.
- Chondrogenic layer of perichondrium
Interstitial growth
- In young cartilage, the intercellular substance is still
malleable and the chondrocytes possess the
capacity to multiply.
 - Some limited regeneration by differentiation of cells
from perichondrium.
- Injury to articular cartilage not a good thing: no
perichondrium!
- Usual “repair” by fibrosis & collagen proliferation
- Calcification may occur.

1. Mitosis of young chondrocytes.

2. Daughter cells secrete precursor materials for ECM.
- Secretory capacity of daughter cells is limited, the
amt. of intercellular substance they deposit is also
limited.
- Result: Isogenous groups (chondrocytes that lie
close to each other up to maturity.)
3. Intercellular substance becomes rigid with age,
interstitial growth ceases.

Appositional growth
1. Cells in perichondrium differentiate into
chondrocytes
2. Matrix is made and laid down, lacunae formed
3. Shape of structure can be changed
May be localized
4. Same process as interstitial growth: different
location!

Cartilage repair
- Cartilage has very limited repair capability
- Cartilage is AVASCULAR!
- Dependent on diffusion kinetics
- If chondrocytes live, matrix can be replaced
- Chondrocyte loss means loss of structure