A skeletal tissue is called cartilage.
Cartilage is a skeletal tissue with flexible characteristics that is made up of sets of chondrogenic cells nucleated in a collagen matrix. Vertebrates and some that lack vertebrae are living beings that have cartilage in their bodies.
Cartilage, a term originating from the Latin word cartilāgo , can be described as a specialized connective tissue that is devoid of nerves , blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. These tissues allow the joints to move, protect the ends of the bones and act as support against possible blows.
Cartilage protection
The practice of physical exercise is one of the factors that are considered most important when it comes to being not only in a formidable state of health but also in terms of being able to achieve a perfect state of the joints, fundamental in our vital development.
In this sense, it is recommended to follow a series of tips when practicing any type of sport and prevent them, and therefore the cartilage, from being seriously affected. Among the recommendations would be to avoid energy drinks during physical activity because what they do is promote dehydration or not to exercise to lose weight because it can speed up damage to the joints.
Cartilage injuries are common in athletes.
Classification according to type
It is possible to distinguish between three types of cartilage tissue: the so-called hyaline cartilage , fibrous cartilage and elastic cartilage .
The first of those mentioned is the most frequent, and can be observed in the nasal structure, the trachea, the larynx, the bronchi, the ribs and the bony joint tips. With a bluish-white appearance, it is nourished by synovial fluid and has few fibers. This type of cartilage can be further divided into non-articular hyaline cartilage and articular hyaline cartilage .
Fibrous cartilage (also known as fibrocartilage ), for its part, appears as a combination that oscillates between dense connective tissue and the aforementioned hyaline cartilage. It is located in the discs located between the vertebrae, the edges of the joints, the discs of the articular group, the menisci and in the spaces where the tendons and ligaments are located.
Elastic cartilage , finally, is found in the larynx, the Eustachian tube and the outer ear. It has greater flexibility compared to hyaline cartilage and has a yellowish hue.
Pathologies that affect cartilage
Among the pathologies that can affect cartilage, we cannot fail to mention relapsing polychondritis . It is a rare inflammatory disease that can destroy the affected tissues.
Likewise, osteoarthritis should not be overlooked, which, as its name indicates, is the most common face of arthritis. A decrease in joint movement, pain and inflammation are the three clearest symptoms and consequences of this pathology that brings about the degradation of cartilage.
An injury, being overweight or aging are three of the most common causes that can lead a person to suffer from this ailment. If this is the case, the treatment can be very varied and include a wide series of actions such as surgical intervention, rest, physical activity, alternative therapies to reduce the pain experienced or control of the patient's weight. .
Costochondritis, herniated disc and detachment are other disorders that can affect cartilage.