Articular cartilage
Articular Cartilage
Articular cartilage (pronunciation: ar-TIC-u-lar CAR-ti-lage) is a type of smooth, white tissue that covers the ends of bones where they come together to form joints. This cartilage allows for the bones to glide over each other with very little friction, enabling smooth movement in the joints.
Etymology
The term "articular cartilage" is derived from the Latin words "articulus", meaning joint, and "cartilago", meaning gristle or cartilage.
Structure
Articular cartilage is made up of specialized cells called chondrocytes, which produce a large amount of extracellular matrix, consisting of collagen fibers, proteoglycan, and elastin fibers. This matrix is responsible for the smooth, slippery surface of the cartilage, which is crucial for joint function.
Function
The primary function of articular cartilage is to reduce friction in the joints and serve as a shock absorber. The smooth, slippery surface of the cartilage allows for the bones in a joint to glide over each other with minimal friction, while the elasticity of the cartilage allows it to absorb shock and prevent damage to the underlying bone.
Related Terms
- Chondrocytes: The cells that produce the extracellular matrix of cartilage.
- Collagen: A protein that provides structure and strength to tissues, including cartilage.
- Proteoglycan: A type of molecule that is heavily glycosylated, forming a gel-like substance that resists compression in cartilage.
- Elastin: A protein that allows tissues in the body to resume their shape after stretching or contracting.
- Joints: The areas where two or more bones meet, typically allowing for movement.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Articular cartilage
- Wikipedia's article - Articular cartilage
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski