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cartilage

  (kär'tl-ĭj) pronunciation
n.

A tough, elastic, fibrous connective tissue found in various parts of the body, such as the joints, outer ear, and larynx. A major constituent of the embryonic and young vertebrate skeleton, it is converted largely to bone with maturation.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin cartilāgō, cartilāgin-.]


 
 

A firm, resilient connective tissue of vertebrates and some invertebrates. Isolated pieces act to provide support and anchor muscles, or with bone to contribute its resilience and interstitial growth to skeletal functions. Cartilage comprises a firm extracellular matrix synthesized by large, ovoid cells (chondrocytes) located in holes called lacunae. The matrix elements are water bound by the high negative charge of extended proteoglycan (protein-polysaccharide) molecules, and a network of fine collagen fibrils. The elements furnish mechanical stability, give, and tensile strength, but allow the diffusion of nutrients and waste to keep the cells alive. See also Bone; Collagen.

Cartilage is modified in several ways. In elastic cartilage, elastic fibers in the matrix increase resilience, as in cartilages supporting the Eustachian tube, mammalian external ear, and parts of the larynx. Where cartilage joins bones tightly at certain joints with limited mobility, for example, at the pubic symphysis and between vertebrae, the matrix of fibrocartilage contains prominent collagen fibers and has less proteoglycan than the typical hyaline variety. Hyaline cartilage, named for its glassy translucence, is the major support in the airway; and throughout the embryo, pieces of it develop as a precursor to the bony skeleton, except in the face and upper skull. See also Ear (vertebrate); Larynx.

The primitive cartilaginous skeleton undergoes another modification, by locally calcifying its matrix. At sites of calcification, invading cells destroy the cartilage and mostly replace it by bone, leaving permanent hyaline cartilage only at the joint or articular surfaces, in some ribs, and, until maturity, at growth plates set back from the joints and perpendicular to the long axis of limb bones. The precarious physiological balance between chondrocytes and matrix materials in the heavily loaded articular cartilage breaks down in old age or in inflamed joints. See also Arthritis; Connective tissue; Joint (anatomy); Skeletal system.


 
World of the Body: cartilage

Cartilage is a tough, resilient material, found in various sites but especially important in large weight-bearing joints as it lines the articulating bone ends. Due to its thickness and elasticity it is thought to act as a ‘shock-absorber’, cushioning the impact of movement. In the knee there is an extra layer of cartilage separating the bone ends (meniscus), presumably because of the amount of mechanical stress this joint is subjected to. These can be torn by rotational injuries, particularly in football and rugby players, a condition commonly referred to as ‘torn cartilage’. It is sometimes possible to repair the meniscus by ‘key-hole surgery’ (arthroscopy) which avoids having to open the joint; if the damage is too great then the meniscus is removed (menisectomy), usually by arthroscopy. Wear and thinning of articular cartilage in the knee and hip is associated with the development of osteoarthritis. Unlike most tissues in the body, cartilage has no blood vessels within it (it is ‘avascular’) and relies on getting its nutrients, essential for the continued well-being of the cells within the cartilage matrix (chondrocytes), from the thin film of fluid lining the joint cavity (synovial fluid). This fluid is derived from the blood supplying the joint capsule, and its rapid turnover is important for keeping the chondrocytes supplied with oxygen and other essential substances. Cartilage is also found near the ends of long bones (epiphysis) in children, where it plays an important role in longitudinal bone growth after birth. New chondrocytes are generated, thickening the epiphysis producing lengthwise growth, whilst the cartilage matrix ‘left behind’ acquires mineral deposits and forms bone. Cartilage is also found in other sites such as the nose, ears, and larynx (externally visible as the ‘Adam's apple’ in males), where it provides lightweight support or flexibility.

— William R. Ferrell

See also bone; connective tissue; joints.

 

The hard connective tissue of the body, composed mainly of collagen, together with chondromucoid (a protein combined with chondroitin sulphate) and chondroalbuminoid (a protein similar to elastin). New bone growth consists of cartilage on which calcium salts are deposited as it develops.

 
Dental Dictionary: cartilage

n

A derivative of connective tissue arising from the mesenchyme. Typical hyaline cartilage is a flexible, rather elastic material with a semitransparent, glasslike appearance. Its ground substance, or matrix, is a complex protein (chondromucoid) through which is distributed a large network of connective tissue fibers. Distributed throughout the matrix are cartilage cells that are rounded and do not have the branching characteristics of bone cells. The cells are isolated in the matrix they have secreted and normally have no blood vessels. Therefore nutrients and metabolites are exchanged with the circulation by passage through the matrix.

 

Connective tissue in parts of the human skeleton. A network of collagen fibres in a firm, gelatinous base, it contains no blood vessels or nerves. Different types of cartilage are found at the ends of some bones and in nasal and respiratory structures; in the spinal disks; and in the ear and epiglottis (back of the throat). Most of the skeleton of an embryo is made of cartilage, which is later replaced by bone.

For more information on cartilage, visit Britannica.com.

 

Tough and flexible connective tissue that forms the skeleton of an embryo and most of the skeleton of infants. As a child grows, much of the cartilage is converted to bone. Cartilage is characterized by rounded cartilage cells (called chondrocytes) surrounded by mucopolysaccharide matrix (chondrin), which is rich in collagen. Cartilage has no nerves or blood vessels and heals slowly when damaged. There are three main types: hyaline cartilage, fibrocartilage, and white fibrocartilage. The pieces of semi-lunar cartilage found in the knee are called menisci.

 
(kär'təlĭj) , flexible semiopaque connective tissue without blood vessels or nerve cells. It forms part of the skeletal system in humans and in other vertebrates, and is also known as gristle. Temporary cartilage makes up the skeletal system of the fetus and the infant, forming a model for later replacement by bone as the body matures. Permanent cartilage remains throughout life, as in the external ear, nose, larynx, and windpipe (or trachea). Cartilage is also present at the joints, where it reduces friction and imparts flexibility. There are three major types of cartilage appearing in vertebrates. The most common is hyaline cartilage, which composes the pre-skeletal model and is found in adults at the joints, in the nose, and in several internal organs. Elastic cartilage is found in several parts of the ear and in the epiglottis, and is the most pliable type of cartilage. Fibrocartilage is found in the intervertebral disks, and is an extremely resilient tissue.


 
Health Dictionary: cartilage
(kahr-tl-ij)

A kind of tough but elastic connective tissue that can withstand considerable pressure. It makes up portions of the skeletal system, such as the linings of the joints, where it cushions against shock. Cartilage is also found in other body structures, such as the nose and external ear.

 

A specialized, gristly connective tissue present in both mature animals and embryos, providing a model in which most of the bones develop, and constituting an important part of the organism's growth mechanism; the three most important types are hyaline cartilage, elastic cartilage and fibrocartilage. Also, a general term for a mass of such tissue in a particular site in the body.

  • alar c's — the cartilages of the wings of the nose.
  • annular ear c. — a ring of cartilage interposed between the rolled-up auricular cartilage and the skull.
  • arthrodial c., articular c. — that clothing the articular surfaces of synovial joints.
  • arytenoid c's — two pyramid-shaped cartilages of the larynx.
  • auricular c. — cartilage of the pinna and much of the external ear canal.
  • c. canals — tunnels containing blood vessels incorporated in developing cartilage.
  • connecting c. — that connecting the surfaces of an immovable joint.
  • costal c. — a bar of hyaline cartilage that attaches a rib to the sternum in the case of true ribs, or to the immediately cranial rib in the case of the anterior false ribs.
  • cricoid c. — a ringlike cartilage forming the caudal part of the larynx.
  • diarthrodial c. — articular cartilage.
  • distal phalangeal c. — the ungual cartilages of the third phalanx in the horse lie mostly against the hoof wall but can be palpated if ossified. See also sidebone.
  • elastic c. — cartilage that is more opaque, flexible and elastic than hyaline cartilage, and is further distinguished by its yellow color. The ground substance is penetrated in all directions by frequently branching fibers that give all of the reactions for elastin.
  • c. emboli — see fibrocartilaginous embolic myelopathy.
  • ensiform c. — xiphoid process.
  • fibrous c. — fibrocartilage.
  • floating c. — a detached portion of semilunar cartilage in the stifle joint.
  • hoof c. — see distal phalangeal cartilage (above).
  • hyaline c. — flexible, somewhat elastic, semitransparent cartilage with an opalescent bluish tint, composed of a basophilic fibril-containing substance with cavities in which the chondrocytes occur.
  • interarytenoid c. — an occasional cartilage located between the two arytenoid cartilages.
  • nasal c. — rostral end to the internasal septum, separating the nasal cavities and anchoring the other cartilages around the nostrils.
  • parapatellar c. — cartilaginous plates medial and lateral to the patella in some species, e.g. dogs.
  • permanent c. — cartilage that does not normally become ossified.
  • retained enchondral c. cores — occur in ulnar metaphysis and lateral femoral condyles of young, giant breed dogs. Visible radiographically as radiolucent inverted cones, extending into the metaphysis, they are often associated with growth deformities such as forelimb valgus and genu valgum.
  • reticular c. — elastic cartilage.
  • scapular c. — dorsal extension of the scapula in ungulates; tends to calcify with age.
  • c. scissors — used for ear cropping in dogs.
  • semilunar c. — one of the two intra-articular cartilages of the stifle joint.
  • temporary c. — cartilage that is normally destined to be replaced by bone.
  • thyroid c. — the unpaired cartilage of the larynx to which the vocal folds attach.
  • tibial c. — the bed of cartilage located on the caudal surface of the intertarsal joint of birds; the tendons of the digital flexors pass through it.
  • ungual c. — see distal phalangeal cartilage (above).
  • vomeronasal c. — either of the two narrow strips of cartilage, one on each side, of the nasal septum supporting the vomeronasal organ.
  • xiphoid c. — posterior continuation of the sternum; supports the anterior abdominal wall, especially the linea alba.
  • yellow c. — elastic cartilage.
 
Word Tutor: cartilage
pronunciation

IN BRIEF: A tough, flexible tissue that is connected with the bones and forms parts of the skeleton.

pronunciation Babies have much more cartilage than adults do.

 
Wikipedia: cartilage

Cartilage is a type of dense connective tissue. It is composed of collagen fibers and/or elastin fibers, and can supply smooth surfaces for the movement of articulating bones. Cartilage is found in many places in the body including the joints, the rib cage, the ear, the nose, the bronchial tubes and the intervertebral discs. There are three main types of cartilage: elastic, hyaline, and fibrocartilage.


Types of cartilage

There are three different types of cartilage, each with special characteristics adapted to their function.

Elastic cartilage

Elastic cartilage (also called yellow cartilage) is found in the pinna of the ear and several tubes, such as the walls of the auditory (Eustachian) tubes and larynx and especially in the epiglottis. Cartilage is present to keep the tubes permanently open. Elastic cartilage is similar to hyaline cartilage but contains elastic bundles (elastin) scattered throughout the matrix. This provides a tissue which is stiff yet elastic.

Hyaline cartilage

Hyaline cartilage is found in the nose, and it connects the ribs to the sternum. It is also required in the Endochondral development of bone. It has fibers scattered throughout its matrix, which looks glassy. Chondrocytes are found in the lacunae.

Fibrocartilage

Fibrocartilage is found in between the vertebrae of the spinal column. It is very fibrous.

Growth and development

Cartilage in fetal development

In embryogenesis, most of the skeletal system is derived from the mesoderm germ layer. Chondrification (also known as chondrogenesis) is the process in which cartilage is formed from condensed mesenchyme tissue, which differentiates into chondrocytes and begins secreting the materials that form the matrix.

Early in fetal development, the greater part of the skeleton is cartilaginous. As this cartilage is afterward replaced by bone, it is called temporary. In contrast, the cartilage in the joints remains unossified during the whole of life, and is called permanent.

Mineralisation

Adult hyaline articular cartilage is progressively mineralised at the junction between cartilage and bone. It is then termed articular calcified cartilage. A mineralisation front advances through the base of the hyaline articular cartilage at a rate dependent on cartilage load and shear stress. Intermittent variations in the rate of advance and mineral deposition density of the mineralising front, lead to multiple tidemarks in the articular calcified cartilage.

Adult articular calcified cartilage is penetrated by vascular buds, and new bone produced in the vascular space in a process similar to endochondral ossification at the physis. A cement line demarcates articular calcified cartilage from subchondral bone.

Growth

Two types of growth can occur in cartilage: appositional and interstitial. Appositional growth results in the increase of the diameter or thickness of the cartilage. The new cells derive from the perichondrium and occur on the surface of the cartilage model. Interstitial growth results in an increase of cartilage mass and occurs from within. Chondrocytes undergo mitosis within their lacuna, but remain imprisoned in the matrix, which results in clusters of cells called isogenous groups.

Repair

Cartilage generally has very limited repair capabilities. Because chondrocytes are bound in lacunae, they cannot easily migrate to damaged areas and lay down new matrix. Damaged cartilage is usually replaced by fibrocartilage scar tissue.

Diseases / Medicine

There are several diseases which can affect the cartilage. Chondrodystrophies are a group of diseases characterized by disturbance of growth and subsequent ossification of cartilage. Some common diseases affecting/involving the cartilage are listed below.

  • Arthritis: The cartilage covering bones in joints (articular cartilage) is degraded, resulting in movement limitation and pain.
  • Achondroplasia: Reduced proliferation of chondrocytes in the epiphyseal plate of long bones results in a form of dwarfism.
  • Costochondritis: Inflammation of cartilage in the ribs which causes chest pain
  • Herniated disk: Asymmetrical compression of a disk ruptures the cartilage ring, causing tissue to herniate into the spinal canal.

The matrix of cartilage acts as a barrier, preventing the entry of lymphocytes or diffusion of immunoglobulins. This property allows for the transplantation of cartilage from one individual to another without fear of tissue rejection.

Bioengineering techniques are being developed to generate new cartilage, using a cellular "scaffolding" material and cultured cells to grow artificial cartilage.

Cartilage cells can give rise to benign (chondroma) tumors. Malignant chondrosarcomas are tumors of bone, not cartilage.

Invertebrate cartilage

Cartilage tissue can also be found among invertebrates such as horseshoe crabs, marine snails, and cephalopods.

See also

External links


 
Misspellings: cartilage

Common misspelling(s) of cartilage

  • cartilege
  • cartilidge

 
Translations: Translations for: Cartilage

Dansk (Danish)
n. - brusk

Nederlands (Dutch)
kraakbeen

Français (French)
n. - cartilage

Deutsch (German)
n. - Knorpel

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (ανατ.) χόνδρος, (μαγειρ.) τραγανό

Italiano (Italian)
cartilagine

Português (Portuguese)
n. - cartilagem (f)

Русский (Russian)
хрящ

Español (Spanish)
n. - cartílago

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - brosk

中文(简体) (Chinese (Simplified))
软骨

中文(繁體) (Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 軟骨

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 연골

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 軟骨

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) غضروف‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮סחוס, חסחוס‬


 
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