What is the function of chondrocytes?
Chondrocytes in the AC proliferate and secrete extracellular matrix to maintain and sustain the cartilage. The cells themselves are separated from each other by cartilage matrix [2]. They respond to outside stimuli and tissue damage, and are also responsible for degenerative conditions, such as osteoarthritis (OA).
What is an articular cartilage?
Articular cartilage is the smooth, white tissue that covers the ends of bones where they come together to form joints. Healthy cartilage in our joints makes it easier to move. It allows the bones to glide over each other with very little friction. Articular cartilage can be damaged by injury or normal wear and tear.
What is an example of articular cartilage?
In a joint, hyaline cartilage is referred to as articular cartilage. This is because the cartilage covers bones’ surfaces where they articulate, or meet to form the joint. For example, at the knee joint, the top of the tibia, the bottom of the femur, and the back of the kneecap are covered with articular cartilage.
Is lacuna a cell?
Each lacuna is generally occupied by a single cell, but during the division of the cells, it may contain two, four, or eight cells. Lacunae are found between narrow sheets of calcified matrix that are known as lamellae (/ləˈmɛli/ lə-MEL-ee).
What does articular mean in anatomy?
Definition of articular : of or relating to a joint articular cartilage.
What is articular wear and tear?
Mechanical degeneration (wear and tear) of articular cartilage occurs with the progressive loss of the normal cartilage structure and function. This initial loss begins with cartilage softening, then proceeds to fragmentation.
What is cartilage short answer?
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. It is also found in the joints, the rib cage, the ear, the nose, the throat and between the bones of the back.
What is the function of articular chondrocytes?
Chondrocytes are the only cell type in cartilage and represent 1%–2% of the total cartilage volume. Mature articular chondrocytes do not show mitotic activity and have a low metabolism aimed to maintain an equilibrium between anabolism and catabolism processes leading to turnover of the ECM components.
What happens to chondrocytes after chondrogenesis?
Following chondrogenesis, the chondrocytes remain as resting cells to form the articular cartilage or undergo proliferation, terminal differentiation to chondrocyte hypertrophy, and apoptosis in a process termed endochondral ossification, whereby the hypertrophic cartilage is replaced by bone.
What is the resident cell type in articular cartilage?
The chondrocyte is the resident cell type in articular cartilage. Chondrocytes are highly specialized, metabolically active cells that play a unique role in the development, maintenance, and repair of the ECM.
What are the different sources of chondrocytes?
In addition to articular chondrocytes, chondrocytes can be harvested from several other locations, including auricular, meniscal, nasoseptal, and costal (Panossian et al., 2001; van Osch et al., 2004; Isogai et al., 2006; Chung et al., 2008 ). Several in vitro and in vivo studies have compared chondrocytes from different sources.