Corpus: Elastic cartilage

Elastic cartilage is a form of cartilage tissue that contains extensive networks of elastic fibres in the extracellular matrix.

In the fresh preparation, elastic cartilage has a yellowish colour, the intensity of which depends on the fibre content. The histological picture is similar to that of hyaline cartilage. The chondrons usually consist of only one cartilage cell. The chondrocytes are surrounded by a basophilic, extracellular basic substance, the cartilage matrix. In elastic cartilage, many elastic fibres consisting of elastin and fibrillin are also embedded in this matrix. They can be visualised with elastica stains such as resorcinol-fuchsin or orcein.

Perichondrium[Bearbeiten]

Elastic cartilage is covered by a perichondrium (cartilage membrane), which consists of two layers:

• an outer fibrous layer (stratum fibrosum) of taut connective tissue. It absorbs the tensile forces that occur during bending.
• an inner cell-rich layer (stratum chondrogenicum), which contains undifferentiated mesenchymal cells that can differentiate into chondroblasts. It is used for regeneration.

Elastic cartilage is not permeated with blood vessels. The blood vessels extend to the perichondrium and from there supply the chondrocytes by diffusion through the cartilage matrix, which can correspond to a layer several millimetres thick.

In contrast to hyaline cartilage, elastic cartilage does not store mineral salts that lead to ossification. This preserves its elasticity for life.

• Ear
  • Cartilago auriculae (auricle)
  • Meatus acusticus externus (cartilage parts of the external auditory canal)
  • Tubal cartilage (Eustachian tube)
• Larynx
  • Epiglottis (epiglottis)
  • Cartilago cuneiformis (Wrisberg cartilage)
  • Cartilago corniculata (Santorini cartilage)
  • Cartilago arytaenoidea (stellate cartilage, vocal process only)
• Smaller bronchi