Cartilage | Description, Anatomy, & Function | Britannica (original) (raw)

cartilage, connective tissue forming the skeleton of mammalian embryos before bone formation begins and persisting in parts of the human skeleton into adulthood. Cartilage is the only component of the skeletons of certain primitive vertebrates, including lampreys and sharks. It is composed of a dense network of collagen fibres embedded in a firm, gelatinous ground substance that has the consistency of plastic; this structure gives the tissue tensile strength, enabling it to bear weight while retaining greater flexibility than bone. Cartilage cells, called chondrocytes, occur at scattered sites through the cartilage and receive nutrition by diffusion through the gel; cartilage contains no blood vessels or nerves, unlike bone.

cartilageMicrograph showing fibrocartilage (centre) surrounded by areas of hyaline cartilage (upper left and right) that are being converted to bone.

Three main types of cartilage can be distinguished. Hyaline cartilage is the most widespread and is the type that makes up the embryonic skeleton. It persists in human adults at the ends of bones in free-moving joints as articular cartilage, at the ends of the ribs, and in the nose, larynx, trachea, and bronchi. It is a glossy blue-white in appearance and very resilient. Fibrocartilage is the tough, very strong tissue found predominantly in the intervertebral disks and at the insertions of ligaments and tendons; it is similar to other fibrous tissues but contains cartilage ground substance and chondrocytes. Elastic cartilage, which is yellow in appearance, is more pliable than the other two forms because it contains elastic fibres in addition to collagen. In humans it makes up the external ear, the auditory tube of the middle ear, and the epiglottis.

A major role of cartilage in humans is to form a model for later growth of the bony skeleton. The clavicle, or collarbone, and some parts of the skull are not preformed in cartilage. In the embryo, cartilage gradually calcifies, and chondrocytes are replaced by bone cells, or osteocytes. After birth a thin plate of cartilage, called the epiphyseal plate, persists at the ends of growing bones, finally becoming ossified itself only when the bone behind it has completed its growth. At the growing edge of the plate, chondrocytes continue to grow and divide, while on the trailing edge they are replaced by osteocytes as new bone is laid down. The cartilage plate thus remains of a constant thickness while the bone grows behind it. Once this plate disappears, no further longitudinal bone growth is possible.

Britannica Quiz Facts You Should Know: The Human Body Quiz

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Kara Rogers.