Structure and Pathologies of Articular Cartilage

Abstract

The aim of the review was to describe a complex microstructure and biomechanical properties of the articular cartilage as well as a current review of its pathologies encountered in veterinary practice. The articular cartilage with its unique features: complex microarchitecture, significant mechanical durability and elasticity, lacking blood, lymphatic vessels, and innervation, seems to stand in contradiction to the laws of biology. It can be involved in a vast majority of diseases, from osteoarthrosis as a result of natural aging process to more complex in nature like osteochondromatosis. The primary role of articular cartilage is to provide the surface for movement in any single joint in the body. Therefore, its diseases lead to physical impairment and deterioration of the quality of life. Treatment of articular cartilage poses a formidable challenge in both modern human and animal medicine.

Tubular chitosan hydrogels with a tuneable lamellar structure programmed by electrical signals

“…For instance, collagen fibres in the superficial zone of articular cartilage have a parallel orientation, which benefits high lubrication, while a vertical orientation underneath can provide a mechanical cushion. 8,9 Thus, it is demanding to explore facile methods to fabricate such complex lamellar structures in a simple and quick means. In addition, present technologies are powerful in the construction of a planarly lamellar structure, yet they have limitations to construct lamellar tubes, which are commonly present in many biological organs such as blood vessels, the ureter, the bile duct and lymph vessels.…”

Research progress of cartilage lubrication and biomimetic cartilage lubrication materials

“…It is difficult to obtain nutrients in this way, so the cartilage tissue has a limited thickness and is less capable of self-repair. Depending on the structure and components, articular cartilage can be divided into three areas, the surface zone, the middle zone and the deep zone ( Żylińska et al, 2021 ). In surface zone, the chondrocytes have a flattened morphology and their long axis is parallel to the cartilage surface.…”

Application and development of 3D bioprinting in cartilage tissue engineering

“…It provides cartilage tissue with a certain degree of tensile, compressive, and shear resistance. 14,17,18…”

“…It provides cartilage tissue with a certain degree of tensile, compressive, and shear resistance. 14,17,18 The unique mechanical properties and biological function of natural articular cartilage depend on both the interactions of chondrocytes with cartilage tissue matrix and complex hierarchical structure. According to the anatomical image of the articular cartilage, it can be divided into four layers from the articular surface to the deeper part: superficial layer, middle layer (transitional layer), deep layer, and calcified layer (Fig.…”