Where is Hyaline Cartilage?

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Flexible yet strong and supportive connective tissue in our body is called as Cartilage. But it differs from other connective tissue and bones as it is avascular and is devoid of blood vessels. Owing to this reason all types of cartilages do not have the ability to be regenerative like other types of connective tissues. Blood vessels are the carriers and suppliers of oxygen and nutrients and since these are absent in cartilage, repairing is simply not possible. All the cartilages have been found to constitute gelatinous substance termed as chondroitin sulfate. Its ground substance is enclosed within the collagen and also with the elastic type of protein fibers. All these components combine to form the durable, flexible and compression force resistant matrix. Hence different types of cartilages are found in different parts of body wherever the support and compression resistance is needed along with flexibility.

What is Hyaline cartilage?

Hyaline cartilage is the most widely spread and common type of cartilage and is given this name due to its glass like, whitish blue translucent appearance. The classification of cartilage is decided depending upon the type of protein fiber present in cartilage matrix. The hyaline cartilage comprise of protein fibers that are large and mostly collagen.

Where is Hyaline cartilage in the body?

Hyaline cartilage is found in larynx, trachea, nasal septum, respiratory tract bronchi and also on the articular surface connected with synovial You do not have access to view this node. Hyaline cartilage is also attached to sternums that are present at the rib’s ventral ends. In almost all mammalian embryos, hyaline cartilage compose temporary skeleton. It is also found in articulated You do not have access to view this node.

What is the structure of hyaline cartilage?

The hyaline cartilage comprise of free surfaces (except in joints) which are layered by fibrous connective tissue, called as perichondrium. This perichondrium is enriched with special type of cell called as fibroblast. The hyaline cartilage is composed of 75% water by weight, 10% of collagen of mostly type II, and other non fibrous material like keratin sulfate and chondroitin sulfate. The type II collages contributes strength in hyaline cartilage which enables it to bear the compression force and helps it to get anchored to You do not have access to view this node. Cartilage does have some growing capability, albeit it is restricted to the surface of cartilage, near the area nestling perichondrium. Here the cartilage grows very actively and this deposition is called as appositional growth. This new material is produced by chondroblast cells and biologists are of the opinion that fibroblasts present in the perichondrium get converted into chondroblast cells to produce cartilage deposition. Many times these cells get trapped between the cartilage and small spaces called lacuna (small lake) are formed in between them. Usually this production of cartilage is not common in adults. Whenever there is damage to hyaline cartilage, chondrocytes turn into chondroblasts and produce the deposition of hyaline cartilage on the surface.

What is the function of hyaline cartilage?

The main function of hyaline cartilage is to give flexibility and support to the body. Due to the presence of collagen, it has immense tensile strength and hence has high resistance towards compression and pressure. It also provides the developing fetus framework which later grows into You do not have access to view this node.

 

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