What type of tissue makes up articular cartilage?
hyaline cartilage
Articular cartilage is hyaline cartilage and is 2 to 4 mm thick. Unlike most tissues, articular cartilage does not have blood vessels, nerves, or lymphatics. It is composed of a dense extracellular matrix (ECM) with a sparse distribution of highly specialized cells called chondrocytes.
Is articular cartilage made of fibrocartilage?
The articular disc is a biconcave fibrocartilage structure and consists of dense bundles of collagen fibers, and separates the joint into two spaces, which are the inferior and superior compartments (Tanaka et al., 2003; Hylander, 2006).
Is articular cartilage avascular?
Articular cartilage is an avascular structure that receives nourishment at the surface from synovial fluid. Given the avascular nature of articular cartilage, there is limited ability for healing of defects created in the surface.
What is cartilage matrix synthesis?
In normal adult cartilage, chondrocytes synthesize matrix components very slowly. During development, however, biosynthesis is stimulated by a variety of anabolic cytokines and growth factors, such as transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I).
Which is the weakest cartilage?
Fibrous cartilage
Fibrous cartilage is the weakest of the three types of cartilage. It has the fewest cells, so it has numerous fibres and the most intercellular space. Fibrous cartilage is softer than hyaline cartilage, but it has thicker collagen fibres. This makes it great at resisting compression.
Can you live without articular cartilage?
If there was no articular cartilage the bone surfaces would rapidly wear away due the friction that occurs when bone rubs against bone. Articular cartilage is self-lubricating because of its high fluid content which gives it the lowest coefficient of friction of any natural or man-made material.
Which is the strongest cartilage?
Fibrocartilage
Fibrocartilage contains even more collagen fibers than hyaline cartilage. It’s the most rigid type of cartilage and can be found in intervertebral discs in the spine. It’s also the strongest type of cartilage.
What happens to articular cartilage in arthritis?
Once damaged, articular cartilage will not heal on its own. And over time, the cartilage breaks down and the underlying bone reacts. As the bone stiffens and develops bone spurs (osteophytes), the joints become inflamed and swollen, which damages the cartilage even more, leading to pain, swelling or loss of motion.
What is cartilage matrix called?
Cartilage is composed of specialized cells called chondrocytes that produce a large amount of collagenous extracellular matrix, abundant ground substance that is rich in proteoglycan and elastin fibers. …
Can you heal cartilage?
There is a myth that cartilage injuries, like a tear, do not ever heal or grow back. The truth is that it can heal, but it’s staggeringly more difficult — and significantly slower — to heal a cartilage injury than a muscle or bone injury. Seeking treatment when you suspect a cartilage tear or injury is important.
Can you hurt your articular cartilage?
Injury to the articular cartilage may be the result of a chronic wear and tear process, or may be caused by a traumatic knee injury such as an ACL tear. Patients with articular cartilage injury will often complain of knee pain, especially with activity, swelling and stiffness.
Is walking good for knee cartilage?
Why Walking Is Good Exercise for Your Joints Low-impact exercise increases blood flow to cartilage, which helps cartilage get the nutrients it needs to cushion and protect the ends of bones in your joints.
What does the articular cartilage do inside the bone?
Articular cartilage is a complex and specialized tissue that provides a slick and bouncy cushion between bones at the joints. When this cartilage is damaged by trauma, disease or simply thins with age, bones can rub directly against each other, causing pain and inflammation, which can eventually result in arthritis.
What function does the articular cartilage serve?
Articular cartilage is a complex, living tissue that lines the bony surface of joints. Its function is to provide a low friction surface enabling the joint to withstand weight bearing through the range of motion needed to perform activities of daily living as well as athletic endeavors.
What kind of tissue type is articular cartilgae?
Articular cartilage is just a type of tissue. No blood vessel or nerve is connected to the cartilage, but it is stronger than bones and even more flexible. Its structure is meant to absorb force used against the bones and keep bones protected from the arm.
Does cartilage produce synovial fluid?
Articular cartilage exists in a thin layer over the ends of bones that interact within synovial joint cavities . This cartilage contains chondrocytes, cells that produce a thick liquid component of synovial fluid — lubricin. There are no blood vessels within articular cartilage, so nutrients are obtained from synovial fluid.