The salient features of the three types of cartilages

The salient features of the three types of cartilages

Hyaline Cartilage:

This is the most common cartilage. The matrix is a clear homogenous translucent substance. Very often a net work of col­lagen fibres is dispersed in the matrix. The interweaving of the collagen fibres is very fine and very close and often difficult to observe. The name hyaline is given to this cartilage because of a translucent hyaline appear­ance of the matrix. The matrix consists of many lacunae and a number of chondrocytes.

The cartilage is covered by a membrane called perichon­drium having blood vessels. It is from these blood vessels that nutritive substances difuse into cartilage. In the body, hyaline cartilage is found in trachea , Bronchial rings, Larynx, Nasal septum, Sternal ribs etc.

Fibrous cartilage:

The fibrous cartilage has a number of fibres travers­ing in the matrix. Based on the type of fibres the fibrous cartilage is di­vided into white fibrocartilage and elastic cartilage. The white fibrocartilage consists of rigid non-elastic white fibres. This type of a cartilage has a firm­ness of the fibrous tissue and the elasticity of the cartilage. This tissue is found in intervertebral disks.

The elastic cartilage has more quantity of elastic yellow fibres in the matrix in addition to white fibres. This gives added flex­ibility to the tissue and can get back its original shape after an injury. The elastic cartilage is somewhat yellowish in appear­ance and is found in the pinna and external auditory canal of the ear. Elastic cartilage is also found in epiglottis, eustachian tubes etc.

Calcified cartilage:

As the very name indicates in this type of cartilage the matrix gets impreg­nated with calcium salts. A network of coarse collagen fibres traverse in the matrix. It is hard and non-elastic. It is found in the intervertebral disks, pubic symphysis of pelvic girdle etc.