PHYSIOLOGY AND DISTRIBUTION OF CARTILAGE IN THE BODY
Cartilage tissue exists in the body as small pieces of different sizes and shapes.
Most cartilages do not contain blood vessels. Its nutrients and oxygen reach the chondrocytes by diffusion of substances originated from blood vessels placed nearby through its ECM.
Because of this way of nutrition the cartilage pieces are usually small and thin. The distances that nutrients, metabolites, and gases must travel within the ECM to reach the chondrocytes are short.
Most cartilage pieces are covered by a layer of dense connective tissue called perichondrium.
Most cartilages do not contain blood vessels. Its nutrients and oxygen reach the chondrocytes by diffusion of substances originated from blood vessels placed nearby through its ECM.
Because of this way of nutrition the cartilage pieces are usually small and thin. The distances that nutrients, metabolites, and gases must travel within the ECM to reach the chondrocytes are short.
Most cartilage pieces are covered by a layer of dense connective tissue called perichondrium.
The figure shows examples of the distribution of cartilages in the body:
1- Articular surfaces – hyaline cartilage
2- Epiphyseal discs (growth zones of long bones) – hyaline cartilage
3- Auricles of the ear – elastic cartilage
4- Nose – hyaline cartilage
5- Epiglottis – elastic cartilage
6- Larynx – hyaline and elastic cartilage
7- Trachea – hyaline cartilage
8- Extrapulmonary and intrapulmonary bronchi – hyaline cartilage
