Biological Importance of Hyaline Cartilage The most important role of hyaline cartilage is to provide mechanical support for the respiratory system, developing bones and articular surfaces.

The hyaline cartilage in the tracheal wall provides support and keeps the trachea from collapsing. The posterior soft tissue allows for expansion of the esophagus, which is immediately posterior to the trachea.

Hyaline cartilage, the most widely distributed form, has a pearl-gray semitranslucent matrix containing randomly oriented collagen fibrils but relatively little elastin. It is normally found on surfaces of joints and in the cartilage making up the fetal skeleton.

Hyaline cartilage matrix is primarily made of type II collagen and chondroitin sulphate, both of which are also found in elastic cartilage. The presence of collagen fibres makes such structures and joints strong, but with limited mobility and flexibility. Hyaline cartilage is the most prevalent type of cartilage.

Hyaline cartilage is highly resistant to compression. It does NOT always have a perichondrium (as in articular cartilage). Its matrix consists of type II collagen and hyaluronan, and it is NOT found in the pinna of the ear and epiglottis (elastic cartilage is found there).

synovial joints

During the development of osteoarthritis (OA), the normal, quiescent chondrocytes become activated and undergo a phenotypic shift, resulting in fibrillation and degradation of cartilage matrix, the appearance of chondrocyte clusters, increased cartilage calcification associated with tidemark advancement or duplication.

The repair process If hyaline cartilage is damaged right down to the bone, the blood supply inside the bone is sometime able to start some healing using a specialised scar tissue known as fibro-cartilage. This is a tough material that helps fill in the defect in the hyaline cartilage and which can grow quite quickly.

Endochondral ossification involves the replacement of hyaline cartilage with bony tissue. Most of the bones of the skeleton are formed in this manner. These bones are called endochondral bones. In this process, the future bones are first formed as hyaline cartilage models.

Hyaline Cartilage When it is damaged, the joint surface may no longer be smooth. Moving bones along a tough, damaged joint surface is difficult and causes pain. Damaged cartilage can also lead to arthritis in the joint. The goal of cartilage restoration procedures is to stimulate new hyaline cartilage growth.

While cartilage is very beneficial to the body, it does have a drawback: it doesn’t heal itself as well as most other tissues. The cartilage cells known as chondrocytes do not often replicate or repair themselves, which means damaged or injured cartilage will not likely heal well without medical intervention.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time. Although osteoarthritis can damage any joint, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips and spine.

What Causes Osteoarthritis?

• Heredity. Some people have an inherited defect in one of the genes responsible for making cartilage.
• Obesity. Obesity increases the risk for osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, and spine.
• Injury. Injuries contribute to the development of osteoarthritis.
• Joint overuse.
• Other diseases.

Preventing osteoarthritis

1. Exercise. Avoid exercise that puts strain on your joints and forces them to bear an excessive load, such as running and weight training.
2. Posture. It can also help to maintain good posture at all times and avoid staying in the same position for too long.
3. Losing weight.

12 Supplements for Osteoarthritis

• 12 Supplements for Osteoarthritis.
• Fish Oil.
• Glucosamine and Chondroitin.
• Vitamin D.
• Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
• Pycnogenol.
• S-Adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe)
• Boswellia serrata.