Chondrocytes

(noun)

  Cells that form and maintain the cartilage.

Related Terms

Examples of Chondrocytes in the following topics:

  • Growth of Bone

    • The reserve zone, the region closest to the epiphyseal end of the plate, contains small chondrocytes within the matrix .
    • The proliferative zone, the next layer toward the diaphysis, contains stacks of slightly-larger chondrocytes .
    • It continually makes new chondrocytes via mitosis.
    • The zone of maturation and hypertrophy contains chondrocytes that are older and larger than those in the proliferative zone .
    • The second zone, the proliferative zone, is where chondrocytes are continually undergoing mitosis.

  • Cartilage Growth

    • The chondroblast is now a chondrocyte, which is usually inactive but can still secrete and degrade the matrix depending on the conditions.
    • Once damaged, cartilage has limited repair capabilities because chondrocytes are bound in lacunae and cannot migrate to damaged areas.
    • A chondrocyte, stained for calcium, showing its nucleus (N) and mitochondria (M).

  • Development of the Skeleton

    • Chondrocytes in the primary center of ossification begin to grow (hypertrophy).
    • Then calcification of the matrix occurs and the hypertrophic chondrocytes begin to die.
    • The hypertrophic chondrocytes (before apoptosis) secrete Vascular Endothelial Cell Growth Factor that induces the sprouting of blood vessels from the perichondrium.
    • Blood vessels forming the periosteal bud invade the cavity left by the chondrocytes and branch in opposite directions along the length of the shaft.

  • Structure, Type, and Location of Cartilage

    • For one, the primary cell types are chondrocytes as opposed to osteocytes.
    • Chondrocytes are first chondroblast cells that produce the collagen extracellular matrix (ECM) and then get caught in the matrix.
    • They lie in spaces called lacunae with up to eight chondrocytes located in each.
    • Chondrocytes rely on diffusion to obtain nutrients as, unlike bone, cartilage is avascular, meaning there are no vessels to carry blood to cartilage tissue.
    • Chondrocytes lie between the fibers.

  • Postnatal Bone Growth

    • Quiescent chondrocytes are found here.
    • Zone of cell proliferation: Closer to the marrow cavity, chondrocytes in this region multiply and arrange themselves into longitudinal columns of flattened lacunae.
    • Zone of bone deposition (ossification): The walls between the lacunae break down and the chondrocytes die.

  • Cartilaginous Joints: Synchodroses

    • In puberty, increasing levels of estrogen, in both females and males, leads to increased apoptosis of chondrocytes in the epiphyseal plate.
    • Depletion of chondrocytes due to apoptosis leads to less ossification, and growth slows down and later stops when the cartilage has been completely replaced by bone.

  • Connective Tissues: Loose, Fibrous, and Cartilage

    • The cells, called chondrocytes (mature cartilage cells), make the matrix and fibers of the tissue.
    • Chondrocytes are found in spaces within the tissue called "lacunae. "
    • Hyaline cartilage consists of a matrix with cells called chondrocytes (shown here) embedded in it.
    • The chondrocytes exist in cavities in the matrix called lacunae.

  • Bone Development

    • In long bones, chondrocytes form a template of the hyaline cartilage diaphysis.
    • This calcification prevents diffusion of nutrients into the matrix, resulting in chondrocytes dying and the opening up of cavities in the diaphysis cartilage.

  • Hormonal Regulation of Growth

    • Thus, GH exerts some of its effects by binding to receptors on target cells, where it activates a pathway that directly stimulates division and multiplication of chondrocytes of cartilage.
    • IGF-1 also has stimulatory effects on osteoblast and chondrocyte activity to promote bone growth.

  • Embryonic and Fetal Bone Formation

    • Chondrocytes in the primary center of ossification begin to grow (hypertrophy).