“Cartilages”  

Cartilage

  In our body, Cartilage, as a musculoskeletal component, is a stiff inflexible non-vascular form of supportive connective tissue found in many areas in our bodies, including the joints (articulations) between bones, the rib cage, the ear, the nose, the elbow, the knee, the ankle, the bronchial tubes and the intervertebral discs.

In our body, the connective tissue Cartilage composed of chondrocytes is not as hard and rigid as bone, yet is stiffer and less flexible than muscle.

Cartilage Classifications

  In our body, there are three different types of the connective tissue cartilage: elastic cartilage (yellow cartilage), hyaline cartilage and fibrocartilage.

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“Hyaline Cartilage”  

  In our body, Hyaline Cartilage, the white shiny gristle at the end of long bones, is the most common type of cartilage in the body, characterized by a homogenous amorphous matrix containing predominately collagen type II (collagen type 2) and ground substance.
  In our body, Hyaline Cartilage connects the ribs to the sternum, supporting the conducting pathways of the respiratory tract, and covering the surfaces of bones within joints.
  In our body, Hyaline Cartilage has very poor healing potential, and our bodily efforts to repair itself frequently end up with a similar, but poorer fibrocartilage. **

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“Costal Cartilages”  

Costal Cartilage

  In our body, the cartilage, Costal Cartilage occurring as bars of hyaline cartilage are joints of the thorax serving to prolong the rib bones (ribs) forward, contributing to the elasticity of the walls of the thoracic cage (rib cage).
  In our body, Costal Cartilages include the; costal cartilages of ribs 1-7 connect to the sternum, costal cartilages of ribs 8-10 connect to the costal cartilage of rib 7, and the costal cartilages of ribs 11 & 12 which end in the muscles of the abdominal wall and do not anteriorly articulate. **

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“Articular Cartilage”  

  In our body, Articular Cartilage a smooth white, firm connective tissue (a hyaline cartilage) covering the articular surfaces of bones attached by a synovial joint (diarthrotic joint).
  In our body, the term Articular Cartilage is often found in close contact with menisci and articular disks, but not considered a part of either structure, which are made entirely of fibrocartilage.

In our body, the term Articular Cartilage turnover is normally maintained by a balance between catabolic processes and anabolic processes, in which compensatory mechanisms in response to altered biomechanical stresses such as altered gait, weight distribution, or traumatic injury ensure homeostasis
  In our body, articular cartilage is a heterogeneous tissue, with the cells arranged in layers of matrix, that each have a different composition and function depending on the location from the articular surface to the subchondral bone. **

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“Elastic Cartlage”  

  In the body, Elastic Cartilage (Yellow Cartilage) contains numerous elastic fibers, making it very resilient and flexible.
  In the body, Elastic Cartilage (Yellow Cartilage) supports the pinna (external flap of the ear), the epiglottis, and the tip of the nose. **

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“Fibrocartilages”  

Fibrocartilage

  In our body, Fibrocartilage is a cartilage dominated by collagen fibers, making the fibrocartilage very durable resisting compression, absorbing shocks, and preventing damage from bone to bone contact.
  In our body, Fibrocartilage lies between the bones of the pelvis and around, or within, some joints and tendons. Damaged tissue, especially in such joints as the knee, can interfere with movement and tends to heal poorly. **

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