What is cartilage? write its functions??....:-)
Answers
cartilage is a fibrous connective tissue
it is formed if cells called chondrocytes
function -
it helps to provide a cushion effect in joints thus protects the end of long bones.
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Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue found in many parts of the body. It can bend a bit, but resists stretching. Its main function is to connect bones together. ... Unlike other connective tissues, cartilage does not contain blood vessels.
Cartilage holds some bones together, for instance, rib cartilage. It makes the area shock-proof.
It helps in the formation of bones in growing children. In young children, the ends of the long bones of arms and legs are made up of cartilage which gradually change into bones and grow longer.
Cartilage is the only tissue that never stops growing! You must have noticed that some very old people have bigger earlobes and bigger nose-ends. This is because cartilage is present in those areas.
It works just like a cushion in the joints. Preventing rubbing of bones against each other is one of the main cartilage functions. For example, the cartilage in the knees and elbows works like a cushion in the bones and helps avoid joint pain.
Elastic cartilage is the most flexible cartilage because it contains more elastin fibers. The perfect balance of structure and flexibility provided by this cartilage helps keep tubular structures open. It is present in the outer ear, the larynx and the Eustachian tubes, for example.
Hyaline cartilage lines the bones in joints, assisting them to articulate smoothly. It is made up of mostly type II collagen fibers. Spoiled hyaline cartilage is generally replaced with fibrocartilage, which unfortunately cannot bear weight due to its rigidity. RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation) promotes fast recovery, in case you have torn cartilage in knee.
Fibrocartilage is the strongest and the most rigid type of cartilage, because it contains more collagen than other types. Collagen in fibrocartilage is more of type I collagen, which is tougher than type II. Fibrocartilage is found in the intervertebral discs. It helps connect tendons and ligaments to bones. It is present in other high-stress areas and protects the joints from shocks.