Fibrocartilage consists of a mixture of white fibrous tissue and cartilaginous tissue in various proportions. It owes its inflexibility and toughness to the former of these constituents, and its
elasticity to the latter. It is the only type of
cartilage that contains
type I collagen in addition to the normal
type II.
Structure
The
extracellular matrix
In biology, the extracellular matrix (ECM), also called intercellular matrix, is a three-dimensional network consisting of extracellular macromolecules and minerals, such as collagen, enzymes, glycoproteins and hydroxyapatite that provide s ...
of fibrocartilage is mainly made from
type I collagen secreted by
chondroblasts.
Locations of fibrocartilage in the human body
*
secondary cartilaginous joints:
**
pubic symphysis
** annulus fibrosis of
intervertebral discs
** manubriosternal joint
*
glenoid labrum
The glenoid labrum (glenoid ligament) is a fibrocartilaginous structure (not a fibrocartilage as previously thought) rim attached around the margin of the glenoid cavity in the shoulder blade. The shoulder joint is considered a ball and sock ...
of shoulder joint
*
acetabular labrum of hip joint
* medial and lateral
menisci of the knee joint
* location where
tendons and
ligaments
A ligament is the fibrous connective tissue that connects bones to other bones. It is also known as ''articular ligament'', ''articular larua'', ''fibrous ligament'', or ''true ligament''. Other ligaments in the body include the:
* Peritoneal ...
attach to bone
* Ulnar Triangular Fibrocartilage complex (TFCC)
Function
Repair
If
hyaline cartilage
Hyaline cartilage is the glass-like (hyaline) and translucent cartilage found on many joint surfaces. It is also most commonly found in the ribs, nose, larynx, and trachea. Hyaline cartilage is pearl-gray in color, with a firm consistency and h ...
is torn all the way down to the bone, the blood supply from inside the bone is sometimes enough to start some healing inside the lesion. In cases like this, the body will form a scar in the area using a special type of cartilage called fibrocartilage. Fibrocartilage is a tough, dense, and fibrous material that helps fill in the torn part of the cartilage; however, it is not an ideal replacement for the smooth, glassy articular cartilage that normally covers the surface of joints.
Clinical significance
Degeneration of fibrocartilage is seen in
degenerative disc disease.
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Skeletal system
Connective tissue