Articular Cartilage

Description

graphic representation of the healthy cartilage (A) without signs of cartilage degeneration and OA cartilage (B) with deterioration of cartilage of the knee joint

Name

• Articular cartilage
• Cartilago articularis
• Hyaline Cartilage

General discussion

• Articular cartilage is a specialized connective tissue present in synovial joints
• Composed of hyaline cartilage with dense extracellular matrix, scattered chondrocytes
• Extracellular matrix composed of collagen, proteoglycans, glycoproteins
• They help retain water molecules
• Cartilage does not have any blood vessels, nerves, lymphatic tissue

Function

• Provide an optimal surface for enabling joint movement
• Prevents friction between bones
• Facilitates the transmission of loads to the underlying bones

Articular Cartilage of the Knee

• Present on the femoral condyles, tibial plateaus and the posterior surface of the patella

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Clinical Significance

Hip Joint

• Osteochondral Defect of the Hip

Knee Joint

• Osteochondral Defect of the Knee
• Knee Osteoarthritis

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See Also

• Anatomy Main

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