Cartilage - Anatomy & Physiology

Types of Cartilage

Hyaline Cartilage

The most abundant in the body. It is normally blue-white, smooth with a moist surface and turns yellow and becomes thinner in old age. It is found in nose, trachea, bronchi, ventral ends of ribs and sternal attachment. It is surrounded by perichondrium. It is at sites of articulation to provide a resilient, frictionless surface that resists compression. It is also found at epiphyseal growth plates.

Elastic Cartilage

Elastic cartilage has a yellow appearance and is found in auricular cartilage, larynx, eustacian tube, and epiglottis. It is surrounded by perichondrium and has resiliance with added flexibility.

Fibrocartilage

Fibrocartilage has more collagen (Type I) and less proteglycans than hyaline. It resists high tensional strain and is often in transition with hyaline. It is found in intervertebral discs, tendon/ligament attachment to bone, joint menisci, and articular surface of some joints (such as the temperomandibular). It has NO perichondrium.