Cartilage tissue: functions and structure features

It's No secret that athletes even in good physical shape and at a relatively early age often drop out of training due to injuries. A large proportion of their problems – bundles. The weakest part of them – the cartilage tissue. The functions of the damaged joints, it is possible to recover, if the time to pay attention to the problem and to create suitable conditions for treatment and regeneration of their cells.

Tissue in the human body

The Human body – is a complex and flexible system, capable of self-regulation. It consists of different in structure and function of cells. Is the main metabolism. Along with non-cellular structures they are grouped into tissues: epithelial, muscle, nervous, connective.

Epithelial cells form the basis of the skin. They line the internal cavities (abdominal, thoracic, upper respiratory tract, intestinal tract). Muscle tissue enables a person to move. She also provides movement of internal fluids in all organs and systems. Musculature is divided into types: smooth (walls of the abdominal organs and vessels), cardiac, skeletal (striated). Nervous tissue transmits impulses from the brain. Some cells are able to grow and multiply, some of them are able to regenerate.

Connective tissue is the body's internal environment. It is different in structure, structure and properties. It consist of solid bones of the skeleton, subcutaneous fat, fluid: blood and lymph. It also applies cartilage. Functions - forming, depreciation, maintenance, and support. They all play an important role and are essential in the complex system of the body.

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Cartilage: structure and function

Her characteristic – the looseness in the arrangement of the cells. Taken individually, you notice how clearly they are separated from each other. The bond between them stands the extracellular substance-the matrix. Moreover, different types of cartilage, it is formed in addition to the main amorphous substances of different fibers (elastic and collagen). Although they share a common protein origin, but different in properties and depending on that perform different functions.

All the bones of the body formed from cartilage. But the growth of their intercellular substance filled with salt crystals (mainly calcium). The result is bones gained strength and became part of the skeleton. Cartilage also perform the support function. In the spine, while between the segments, they take constant loads (static and dynamic). Ear, nose, trachea, bronchi – in these areas the fabric plays a more formative role.

Growth and nutrition of cartilage are made through the perichondrium. It is in the fabric is essential, in addition to the joints. Them between the friction surfaces is present in synovial fluid. She washes, lubricates and nourishes, removes metabolic products.

Structure

In the few cartilage cells are able to divide, and plenty of space around them, filled with a variety of the properties of the protein material. Because of such features the process of regeneration is often to a greater extent go in the matrix.

There are two types of tissue cells: hodnotici (Mature) and chondroblasts (young). They differ in size, location and method of disposition. Chondrocytes are rounded, and they are larger. Arranged in pairs or in groups of up to 10 cells. The chondroblasts are usually smaller and are located in the tissue at the periphery or single.

In the cytoplasm of cells under the shell accumulates the water that has inclusions of glycogen. The oxygen and nutrients goes into the cells diffuse. There occurs the synthesis of collagen and elastin. They are necessary for the formation of intercellular substance. From its specificity depends on what type it will be of cartilage tissue. Features of the structure and function of the larynx differ from the intervertebral disc, including collagen content. Into ears, nose cartilage extracellular matrix consists of 30% of elastin.

Types

As a is classified cartilage? Functions depend on the prevalence in the matrix of specific fibers. If in the intercellular substance more elastin, cartilage is more pliable. She is almost as durable, but the bundles of fibers in her thinner. They are well withstand the load not only in compression but also in tension, is capable of deformation without critical consequences. Such cartilage is called elastic. Tissue forms the larynx, the ear, the nose.

If the matrix around the cells a high content of collagen with a complex structure of polypeptide chains, a cartilage called hyaline. He often covers the inner surface of the joints. The highest amount of collagen is concentrated in the surface zone. He plays the role of the framework. The bundles of fibers in this structure are reminiscent of the three-dimensional network of twisted spiral shape.

There is another group: the fibrous, or fibrous cartilage. They, like hyaline, contain intercellular substance a great amount of collagen, but it has a special structure. Bundles their fibers do not have a complex weave and is located along the axis of greatest stress. They are thicker, have a particular compressive strength, slow recovery process during the deformation. Of a fabric formed of the intervertebral discs, joints of the tendons with the bones.

Functions

Due to the special biomechanical properties of tissue is ideal for linking components of the musculoskeletal system. She is able to take the forces of compression and extension during movement, distributing evenly the load to some extent to absorb or dissipate.

Cartilage form the abrasion resistant surface. In conjunction with the synovial fluid, such joints, the maximum acceptable loads for a long time are able to perform their normal functions.

Tendon – it's not cartilage. Their functions also are to binding in the overall system of the musculoskeletal apparatus. They also consist of bundles of collagen fibers, but their structure and origin more. The cartilage of the nose, respiratory organs, ears in addition to accomplish a shaping and supporting features are a place of fastening of soft tissues. But in contrast to tendons of muscles around them are not the stress.

Special properties

In elastic cartilage has very few blood vessels. And this is understandable, because strong dynamic load can be damaged. How eats the cartilage connective tissue? These functions takes over intercellular substance. In hyaline cartilage no blood vessels. Their friction surface is quite hard and dense. Their food is due to the synovial fluid of the joint.

The matrix water moves freely. It contains all the substances necessary for metabolic processes. Proteoglycan components of the cartilage is associated water. She's like an incompressible substance provides rigidity and additional cushioning. With loads of water takes on the impact, spread across the intercellular space and gently relieves tension, preventing irreversible critical deformation.

Development

In the body of an adult up to 2 % of the mass falls on the cartilage tissue. Where it is concentrated and what is its function? Cartilaginous and osseous tissue in embryonic period is not differentialsa. In embryos bone there. They develop from cartilage and are formed by the time of birth. But part of her never ossified. From it are formed the ears, nose, larynx, and bronchi. Also it is present in the joints of the hands and feet, the joints of the pubic bones, intervertebral discs, menisci of knees.

The Development of cartilage occurs in several stages. First, cells of the mesenchyme are saturated with water, are rounded, their processes and begin to produce substances for the matrix. After this happens, their differentiation to chondrocytes and chondroblasts. First be tightly surrounded by intercellular substance. In this state, they can share a limited number of times. After these processes produce isogenic group. Cells remaining on the surface of the tissue become chondroblasts. In the process of production of substances of the matrix, a final differentiation, the structure is formed with a distinct division on a thin edge and base fabric.

Age changes

Function of cartilage in the process of life do not change. However, over time you may notice signs of aging: the weakening of the muscles and tendons of the joints, loss of flexibility due to pains on change of weather or under unusual load. Such a process is considered to be a physiological norm. By the age of 30-40 years symptoms changes can to a greater or lesser extent, already begin to cause trouble. Aging of articular cartilage tissue is due to loss of its elasticity. Loses its elasticity of the fibers. Fabric dries, the loosened.

On the smooth surface cracks, it becomes rough. The smoothness and ease of sliding is impossible. Damaged edges grow, they form deposits in the tissue are formed osteophytes. Elastic cartilage age accumulation in the extracellular...