What are the different types of cartilages?
1 Answer
Here's what I find.
Cartilage is a type of connective tissue consisting of cells called chondrocytes embedded in a matrix of elastic and collagen fibres·
Cartilage is not as hard and rigid as bone, but it is stiffer and less flexible than muscle.
There are three types of cartilage.
Elastic cartilage
Elastic cartilage is found in the external ear, epiglottis, and larynx.
In elastic cartilage, the chondrocytes are embedded in a threadlike network of elastic fibres within the matrix.
Thus, elastic cartilage maintains shape and strength while maintaining flexibility.
Hyaline cartilage
Hyaline cartilage is the cartilage at the junction of long bones, sternum, and ribs.
It has fewer cells than elastic cartilage, so there is more intercellular space.
(From aandpeasyaspanda)
Hyaline cartilage has an unimaginable amount of fine collagen fibres, which give it strength and flexibility.
It also provides smooth surfaces, facilitating easy movement of joints.
Fibrous cartilage
Fibrous cartilage is the weakest of the three types of cartilage.
It has the fewest cells, so it has numerous fibres and the most intercellular space.
Fibrous cartilage is softer than hyaline cartilage, but it has thicker collagen fibres. This makes it great at resisting compression.
It is found in the knee joints and between the vertebrae.
Please note that there could be a fourth type, viz. calcified cartilage which is absent in human body but present in skeleton of sharks, frogs, etc. Here the matrix of cartilage is laden with calcium.
