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Cartilage

Specialized Connective Tissue

Structure & Function of Cartilage

• Structure: specialized connective tissue with a
large matrix to cells ratio.
– Cells = Chondrocytes
– ECM = Firm and pliable; well-hydrated

• Functions: Weight-bearing, shock-absorbing,

friction-reducing connective tissue that
facilitates movement at all joints
• Types (see Table 7.1 in Ross):
– Hyaline cartilage
– Elastic cartilage
– Fibrocartilage

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Gross Anatomy of Hyaline Cartilage

William B. Gruber Gray’s Anatomy

Dissection: elbow joint Knee joint; Grays Anatomy

Gray’s Anatomy Gray’s Anatomy

CT scan: Knee joint CT scan: Knee joint

Histology of Hyaline Cartilage

• Provides a low-friction
gliding surface for joints
& distributes forces to
underlying bone

• Chondrocytes located
within lacunae

• ECM has a high

concentration of bound
sulfate groups—stains
with basic dyes
Hyaline cartilage of rib; stain: H&E

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Histology of Hyaline Cartilage:

The Chondrocyte
• Chondrocytes secrete
and maintain ECM

• Exhibit usual histological

features of cells active in
protein synthesis and
secretion

• Not well preserved in

routine histological
preparations
Young cartilage; stain: H&E Fig. 7.5 in Ross

Histology of Hyaline Cartilage:

The Extracellular Matrix

Fig. 7.7 in Ross

• Capsular Matrix
• Territorial Matrix
• Interterritorial Matrix
Hyaline cartilage; stain: H&E Fig. 7.1 in Ross

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Histology of Hyaline Cartilage:

Perichondrium
• Source of new
chondrocytes
OF
• Dense Irregular CT
IC
• 2 layers:
– Outer fibrous (OF)
– Inner cellular (IC)

• Inner cellular layer gives

Hyaline cartilage of rib; stain: H&E rise to new cartilage
cells

Histology of Hyaline Cartilage:

Articular Cartilage

• Covers the articular

surface of joints

• Hyaline cartilage,
but without the
perichondrium
Articular cartilage; stain: Safranin O
• Renewal of articular
cartilage is very slow

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Histology of Elastic Cartilage

• ECM is distinguished
by elastic fibers + all
of the molecules of
hyaline cartilage
©Wellcome Images
matrix
Elastic cartilage of ear; stain: elastic stain

• Found in external
ear, auditory tube, &
epiglottis

• ECM does not calcify

©dhudiburg with age
Elastic cartilage; stain: elastic stain

Histology of Fibrocartilage
• Combination of DICT &
hyaline cartilage
• Resist shearing and
compression
• Chondrocytes secrete little
Fibrocartilage; stain: H&E matrix
• Matrix fibers: type I & II
collagen—relative
proportions vary with
mechanical demand and age
• No perichondrium
Fibrocartilage; stain: H&E

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Cartilage Growth
• 2 Types:
– Appositional Growth—
forms new cartilage at
the surface; requires
perichondrium

– Interstitial Growth—
forms new cartilage
within the existing
cartilage matrix; new
cells arise by division
within the matrix
Hyaline cartilage; stain: H&E

Cartilage Repair
• Inefficient at repair

• Avascular

• Chondrocytes are not very mobile & have a

limited ability to proliferate

• Repair usually involves formation of DICT

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Cartilage Calcification
• Occurs as a precursor to bone formation
during endochondral ossification
• Occurs as a normal part of aging—usually
involves the replacement of bone

Endochondral ossification; stain: H&E

Bone

Epiphyseal plate; stain: H&E

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Structure & Function of Bone

• Structure: Mineralized connective tissue

– Cells = 5 cell types
– ECM = Hardened (mineralized) by calcium
phosphate

• Functions: Weight-bearing, connective tissue

that transmits mechanical forces from
muscles, provides support and protection to
the body, and maintains blood calcium
homeostasis.

Gross Anatomy of Bone

Flat Bone; scapula Flat Bone; mandible

Long Bone; humerus

Short Bones; carpus Irregular Bone; vertebrae

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Gross Anatomy of Bone

Spongy bone

Compact bone

Marrow cavity

Fig. 8.2 in Ross

Histology of Bone: The Extracellular Matrix

• Fibers: Collagen type I & V (mostly type I)

– 90% of the weight of bone proteins (compare to
cartilage matrix)
• Non-collagenous matrix proteins
– Proteoglycan macromolecules (same as hyaline
cartilage)
– Other proteins specific to bone density and
growth

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Histology of Bone: Cells

Osteoblasts
• Derived from
osteoprogenitor cells

• Secrete unmineralized
ECM (i.e., osteoid)

• Responsible for ECM

calcification

• Cuboidal secretory cells;

communicate by gap
Osteoblasts (right side);
arrow = osteocyte; stain: Mallory-Azan
junctions

Histology of Bone: Cells

Osteocytes
• Mature bone cells;
derived from osteoblasts

• Completely surrounded
by ECM; within lacunae;
communicate by gap
junctions

• Maintain nutritional
support of bone; can
Osteocytes (center);
deposit & resorb ECM
arrow = osteocyte; stain: Mallory-Azan

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Histology of Bone: Cells

Osteoclasts
• Derived from mononuclear
hemopoietic progenitor
cells

• Responsible for bone

resorption

• Influenced by parathyroid
hormone & calcitonin

• Large multinucleated cell;

acidophilic cytoplasm
Stain: H&E

Histology of Bone: Periosteum

• DICT—same as
perichondrium

• Contains fibroblasts &

periosteal cells
(osteoprogenitor or
osteoblasts)

• In growing bone, divided

into outer fibrous and
inner cellular layers

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Histology of Bone: Cavities

Mouse tibia; stain: unknown Spongy bone; stain: H&E

(blue = bone; periosteum = orange)

• Lined by endosteum (osteoprogenitor cells)

• Red marrow & yellow marrow

Blood Supply of Bone

Fig. 8.4 in Ross

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Histology of Mature Lamellar Bone

Compact (lamellar) bone; ground bone preparation Fig. 8.3 in Ross

Histology of Mature Lamellar Bone

Compact (lamellar) bone; decalcified preparation, stain: H&E

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Histology of Mature Spongy Bone

Ossification
• 2 types of ossification
– Intramembranous ossification
• Differentiation of mesenchymal cells into
osteoblasts
• Flat bones

– Endochondral ossification
• Differentiation of mesenchymal cells into
chondroblasts
• Formation of a hyaline cartilage model, which is
then replaced by bone
• Long bones & vertebrae

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