Question

What are the similarities and differences between hyaline cartilage and elastic cartilage?

Answer 1

Both hyaline and elastic cartilages are made of special cells called chondroblasts (called chondrocytes when cells become old). These cells secrete extracellular matrix: which is made of collagen and peptidoglycan.

Both hyaline and elastic cartilagenous tissues are surrounded by perichondrium, a layer of fibroblasts.

• Hyaline cartilage appears translucent, grey in colour due to presence of lots of collagen. Such cartilages are present in articular sufaces of long bones, tracheal rings, nasal septum, etc.
• Compared to this, extracellular matrix of elastic cartilage is laden with lots of elastin fibres. Such cartilages provide flexibility in structures like tip of nose, ear pinna, etc.

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