what is cartilage tissue
Answers
Answer:
Cartilage is a tough but flexible tissue that is the main type of connective tissue in the body. Around 65–80% of cartilage is water, although that decreases in older people, and the rest is a gel-like substance called the 'matrix' that gives it its form and function.
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Answer:
Cartilage is a tough but flexible tissue that is the main type of connective tissue in the body. Around 65–80% of cartilage is water, although that decreases in older people, and the rest is a gel-like substance called the 'matrix' that gives it its form and function.
Explanation:
Cartilage is a tough but flexible tissue that is the main type of connective tissue in the body. Around 65–80% of cartilage is water, although that decreases in older people, and the rest is a gel-like substance called the ‘matrix’ that gives it its form and function.
The matrix is highly organised and consists of several types of specialist proteins, called:
Collagens;
Proteoglycans; and
Non-collagenous proteins
The proteoglycan and noncollagenous proteins bind, or stick to the collagen, which forms a mesh. Water is attracted to the mesh by negatively charged proteins. Together, these give the matrix its consistency.
There are three main types of cartilage:
Hyaline
Elastic
Fibrous
They have different properties that correspond to their specific functions in the body and make it the most appropriate type of cartilage at that particular site.
Hyaline, or articular cartilage, is found in the joints, septum of the nose (which separates the nostrils), and the trachea (air tube).
Elastic cartilage, which has elastic fibres that make the cartilage more flexible, is found in the ear, part of the nose and the trachea.
Fibrous cartilage occurs in special cartilage pads called menisci that help to disperse body weight and reduce friction, such as in the knee.
In the joints, hyaline cartilage forms a very low friction, 2-4 mm thick layer that coats the bony surfaces. This allows the bones of the joint to glide over one another during movement and, ideally, last a lifetime. It also serves as a cushion and shock absorber in the joint.