𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓒𝓐𝓡𝓽𝓲𝓵𝓪𝓰𝓮! 🚗

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞?
Cartilage is a strong, long-lasting connective tissue with an extracellular matrix (ECM). Cartilage ECM has a firm consistency, allowing the tissue to withstand mechanical stress without permanent distortion. Cartilage at the ends of your bones reduces friction and keeps them from rubbing together when you move your joints. It is also the primary tissue in certain parts of your body, giving them structure and shape. The structural properties of its matrix make cartilage ideal for a wide range of mechanical and protective roles in the adult skeleton and elsewhere.

𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕕𝕠𝕖𝕤 ℂ𝕒𝕣𝕥𝕚𝕝𝕒𝕘𝕖 𝕕𝕠?

In the respiratory tract, ears, and nose, cartilage provides a framework for softer tissues. Because of its resiliency and smooth, lubricated surface, cartilage cushions and slides within skeletal joints, facilitating bone movements. Furthermore, cartilage influences the development and growth of long bones, both before and after birth.

𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚎𝚎 (𝟹) 𝚝𝚢𝚙𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝙲𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚊𝚐𝚎: 𝙷𝚢𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚎, 𝙵𝚒𝚋𝚛𝚘, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙴𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚌. 𝙰𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚜𝚎 𝚝𝚢𝚙𝚎𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚊𝚐𝚎 𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚟𝚊𝚜𝚌𝚞𝚕𝚊𝚛 𝚜𝚞𝚙𝚙𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚜.

𝑯𝒀𝑨𝑳𝑰𝑵𝑬 𝑪𝑨𝑹𝑻𝑰𝑳𝑨𝑮𝑬
Hyaline cartilage is the most common of the three types of cartilage in your body, lining your joints and covering the ends of your bones. In its fresh state, it is semi transparent and homogenous. Because it is smooth and slick, your bones can travel past one another in your joints with ease. It is flexible yet strong enough to help your joints maintain their shape.

Your body contains hyaline cartilage in the following places:
– At the joints’ terminal points of bone.
-In between your ribs.
-Within the passages of your nose.

𝑭𝑰𝑩𝑹𝑶𝑪𝑨𝑹𝑻𝑰𝑳𝑨𝑮𝑬

Fibrocartilage offers extremely tough and strong support at tendon insertions, intervertebral discs, and some other joints. It is strong enough to keep parts of your body in place and absorb shocks. It is the most durable and least flexible of the three varieties.

Fibrocartilage can be found in your body at the following locations:

-The meniscus on your knee.
-In the disks that lie between your spine’s vertebrae.
-Supporting muscles, tendons, and ligaments all across your body.

𝑬𝑳𝑨𝑺𝑻𝑰𝑪 𝑪𝑨𝑹𝑻𝑰𝑳𝑨𝑮𝑬

Your most flexible cartilage is called elastic cartilage. It provides support for body parts that must move and bend in order to function. Even after a powerful force, elastic cartilage can return to its previous form. In terms of chondrocytes and major extracellular matrix components, elastic cartilage largely resembles hyaline cartilage. However, the tissue’s flexibility is increased by the abundance of elastic fibers in the matrix, which can be seen with certain stains. It offers flexible support for specific middle ear and laryngeal structures in addition to the external ear.

Your body contains elastic cartilage in the following places:

-Your external ears (the parts of your ear that are outside your body).
-Your eustachian tubes (the tube that carries sounds from your external ear into your head).
-Your voice box, or larynx.

𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐆𝐨𝐨𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PC408XFsrTSsjSvwJrXHlC_G9-QcKOzz/view?usp=sharing

References: 🔗
Professional, C. C. M. (n.d.). Cartilage. Cleveland Clinic.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23173-cartilage

L. Mescher, A., PhD. (2021). Junqueira’s Basic Histology: Text and Atlas (16th ed.). Chapter 7: Cartilage (129). McGraw Hill.