The covering of articular cartilage is made up of :- A. areolar connec...
Cartilage is an important structural component of the body. It is a firm tissue but is softer and much more flexible than bone.
Cartilage is a connective tissue found in many areas of the body including:
Joints between bones e.g. the elbows, knees and ankles
Ends of the ribs
Between the vertebrae in the spine
Ears and nose
Bronchial tubes or airways
Cartilage is made up of specialized cells called chondrocytes. These chondrocytes produce large amounts of extracellular matrix composed of collagen fibres, proteoglycan, and elastin fibers. There are no blood vessels in cartilage to supply the chondrocytes with nutrients.
Instead, nutrients diffuse through a dense connective tissue surrounding the cartilage (called the perichondrium) and into the core of the cartilage. Due to the lack of blood vessels, cartilage grows and repairs more slowly than other tissues.
Cross section through a typical synovial joint, showing the bone, synovial membrane, synovial fluid, cartilage and ligament - Image Credit: Blamb / Shutterstock
The covering of articular cartilage is made up of :- A. areolar connec...
Covering of Articular Cartilage
The covering of articular cartilage is a thin layer of connective tissue that covers the surface of the bone in a synovial joint. It is composed of a type of connective tissue called hyaline cartilage, which is a smooth and shiny material that provides cushioning and shock absorption to the joint.
Composition of Articular Cartilage
The covering of articular cartilage is made up of hyaline cartilage, which is composed of chondrocytes and a matrix of collagen fibers and proteoglycans. The matrix provides the cartilage with its mechanical properties, while the chondrocytes maintain the matrix and produce new cartilage tissue.
Types of Connective Tissue
There are several types of connective tissue in the body, including areolar, yellow fibrous, white fibrous, and reticular connective tissue. However, the covering of articular cartilage is not composed of any of these types of connective tissue. Instead, it is composed of hyaline cartilage.
Function of Articular Cartilage
The function of articular cartilage is to provide a smooth and slippery surface for the bones to move on, reducing friction and wear on the joint. It also helps to distribute the forces that are applied to the joint, protecting the bones from damage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the covering of articular cartilage is composed of hyaline cartilage, not any of the other types of connective tissue. Its function is to provide a smooth and slippery surface for the bones to move on, reducing friction and wear on the joint, and distributing the forces applied to the joint.
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