Does articular cartilage have nerve endings?
Importantly, unlike other musculoskeletal connective tissues such as periosteum and synovium, cartilage does not contain blood vessels and is not deeply innervated by nerve fibers, indicating that cartilage for some reason might be a hostile environment for the spreading of nerve fibers.
Are there nerves in articular cartilage?
Unlike most tissues, articular cartilage does not have blood vessels, nerves, or lymphatics. It is composed of a dense extracellular matrix (ECM) with a sparse distribution of highly specialized cells called chondrocytes.
Where is the articular cartilage of bone ends?
knee
Articular cartilage covers the ends of all bones found in joints (knee, ankle, hip, shoulder, elbow, wrist and finger) and allows them to slide freely in the joint.
What is the articular cartilage attached to?
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.
What are articular nerves?
articular nerve any mixed peripheral nerve that supplies a joint and its associated structures.
Does articular cartilage produce synovial fluid?
The fluid in articular cartilage effectively serves as a synovial fluid reserve. During movement, the synovial fluid held in the cartilage is squeezed out mechanically to maintain a layer of fluid on the cartilage surface (so-called weeping lubrication).
Where is 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 are articular branches?
ar·tic·u·lar branch·es [TA] branches distributed to joints. Almost any vessel related to a joint will supply articular rami. Most joints receive articular branches from the intramuscular branches of the motor nerves innervating the muscles crossing the joint (see Hilton law).
Does articular cartilage have Perichondrium?
Articular hyaline cartilage and fibrocartilage do not have a perichondrium. Hyaline cartilage is the most common cartilage in the body. It is bluish-white and translucent.
Which 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 makes up the fluid phase of articular cartilage?
The biomechanical behavior of articular cartilage is best understood when the tissue is viewed as a biphasic medium. Articular cartilage consists of 2 phases: a fluid phase and a solid phase. Water is the principal component of the fluid phase, contributing up to 80% of the wet weight of the tissue.
Where do chondrocytes come from in articular cartilage?
Chondrocytes originate from mesenchymal stem cells and constitute about 2% of the total volume of articular cartilage. 2 Chondrocytes vary in shape, number, and size, depending on the anatomical regions of the articular cartilage.
What are the vertebral end plates made of?
Vertebral End Plates Definition. Vertebral end plates are the top and bottom portions of the vertebral bodies that interface with the vertebral discs. The vertebral end plate is composed of a layer of thickened cancellous bone, The force imposed on the endplate from major load bearing or a herniated disc can cause end-plate abnormality…