Cartilage

Cartilage is a connective tissue found in many parts of the body. Although it is a tough and flexible material, it is relatively easy to damage. This fine, rubbery tissue acts as a cushion between the bones of joints. People with cartilage damage commonly experience joint pain, stiffness, and In this article, we will describe the function of cartilage, how it can become damaged, and how that damage can be treated. Share on Pinterest Cartilage is tissue that cushions the bones. Cartilage has several functions in the human body: • Reduces friction and acts as a cushion between joints and helps support our weight when we run, bend, and stretch. • Holds bones together, for instance, the bones of the ribcage. • Some body parts are made almost entirely of cartilage, for example, the external parts of our ears. • In children, the ends of the long bones are made of cartilage, which eventually turns into bone. Unlike other types of tissue, cartilage does not have a blood supply. Because of this, damaged cartilage takes much longer to heal, compared with other tissues that are supplied by blood. There are three types of cartilage: • Elastic cartilage (yellow cartilage) – the most springy and supple type of cartilage. Elastic cartilage makes up the outside of the ears and some of the nose. • Fibrocartilage – the toughest type of cartilage, able to withstand heavy weights. It is found between the discs and vertebrae of the spine and between the bones of the hip and pelvis. • Hyaline c...

Researchers at the Loss of this slippery and shock-absorbing tissue layer, called articular cartilage, is responsible for many cases of joint pain and arthritis, which afflicts more than 55 million Americans. Nearly 1 in 4 adult Americans suffer from arthritis, and far more are burdened by joint pain and inflammation generally. The Stanford researchers figured out how to regrow articular cartilage by first causing slight injury to the joint tissue, then using chemical signals to steer the growth of skeletal stem cells as the injuries heal. The work was published Aug. 17 in the journal Nature Medicine. “Cartilage has practically zero regenerative potential in adulthood, so once it’s injured or gone, what we can do for patients has been very limited,” said assistant professor of surgery The work builds on previous research at Stanford that resulted in isolation of the skeletal stem cell, a self-renewing cell that is also responsible for the production of bone, cartilage and a special type of cell that helps blood cells develop in bone marrow. The new research, like previous discoveries of mouse and human skeletal stem cells, were mostly carried out in the laboratories of Chan and professor of surgery Articular cartilage is a complex and specialized tissue that provides a slick and bouncy cushion between bones at the joints. When this cartilage is damaged by trauma, disease or simply thins with age, bones can rub directly against each other, causing pain and inflammation, whi...

Cartilage is a type of connective tissue found in the body. When an embryo is developing, cartilage is the precursor to bone. Some cartilage remains and is dispersed throughout the body, especially to cover the joints. Cartilage also composes most of the outer ear. Cartilage is a unique tissue type because it doesn’t have blood vessels or nerves. Instead, cartilage cells (known as chondrocytes) are found in a gel-like “matrix” that provides nourishment to the cells. Cartilage has a unique structure that makes it a strong but flexible tissue. Three types of cartilage exist in the body: hyaline, fibro, and elastic cartilage. Below is an explanation of each. Elastic Elastic cartilage is found in the ear and epiglottis (located in the throat) as well as parts of the nose and trachea. This cartilage serves to provide strength and elasticity to organs and body structures, such as the outer ear. Fibro or fibrous Fibro cartilage is found in special pads known as menisci and in the disks between your spinal bones, known as vertebrae. These pads are vital to reducing friction in joints, such as the knee. Doctors consider it the strongest of the three cartilage types. It has thick layers of strong collagen fibers. Hyaline Hyaline cartilage is the most common type in the body. This cartilage type is found in the larynx, nose, ribs, and trachea. A very thin layer of cartilage is also present on bony surfaces, such as over joints, to cushion them. This hyaline cartilage is known as arti...

: a usually translucent (see translucent sense 1) somewhat elastic tissue that composes most of the skeleton of vertebrate embryos and except for a small number of structures (such as some joints, respiratory passages, and the external ear) is replaced by bone during ossification in the higher vertebrates Recent Examples on the Web The major area of activity of AS occurs where bones connect to ligaments, cartilage and tendons. — Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 27 Mar. 2023 These men all had problems with their blood—too few platelets, unusually large red blood cells—and immune system issues like cartilage and lung inflammation. — WIRED, 14 Feb. 2023 And puppies that chowed down on cartilage and raw bones were 33 percent less likely to develop gut issues. — Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Feb. 2023 Epiglottis, which is a flap of cartilage at the root of the tongue that is depressed during swallowing to cover the opening of the windpipe. — Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2022 It’s found in skin, connective tissue, bone and cartilage. — Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022 Among the many injuries the Los Angeles Chargers have dealt with this season is Justin Herbert's fractured rib cartilage. — Victoria Hernandez, USA TODAY, 7 Oct. 2022 The meniscus is a pad-like structure made up of cartilage that cushions the point of connection between bone of the thigh and the bones of the shin, Schumacher says. — Cori Ritchey, Men's Health, 2 May 2023 Elasmobranch fish are distinct f...

Hyaline or articular cartilage is very smooth and has low friction, allowing the bones in a joint to glide over one another upon movement.The articular cartilage serves as the cushion within the joint, and as a shock absorber. When cartilage is damaged or worn away, the affected joint becomes painful, stiff, and limited in its BSIP/UIG / Getty Images What Happens When Cartilage Wears Down Cartilage can degrade over time if you're not careful. Cartilage damage occurs for various reasons. Growth or repair of cartilage, however, has limited potential. If a joint is burdened by improper alignment, excessive weight, excessive activity, overuse, or injury, articular cartilage can wear away. Mesenchymal stem cell regeneration is still experimental, but it is thought that MSCs can be derived from bone marrow, placed in a gel matrix, and implanted at the site where new cartilage would develop. Early detection and early treatment of osteoarthritis can help to prevent further cartilage damage. The best chance for preventing or slowing cartilage damage comes with early treatment. • Orthobullets. • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. • Li G, Yin J, Gao J, et al. Arthritis Res Ther. 2013;15(6):223. doi:10.1186/ar4405 • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. • Junker S, Krumbholz G, Frommer KW, et al. Joint Bone Spine. 2016;83(1):63-7. doi:10.1016/j.jbspin.2015.04.008 • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeon. • Brown C, Mckee C, Bakshi S, et al. J Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2019;1...