The nutritional needs of chondrocytes in the center of a piece of elastic cartilage are met through:
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Correct answer: Diffusion through the matrix from vessels in the perichondrium.
Because cartilage is avascular, all nutrients and oxygen must diffuse from the vascularized perichondrium through the dense, hydrated matrix to reach the cells. This limits the potential thickness of the cartilage.
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More Elastic Cartilage questions
- Which of the following describes the primary structural difference between elastic cartilage and hyaline cartilage?
- Which specific histological stain is most effective for demonstrating the fiber network in elastic cartilage?
- In which of the following anatomical locations is elastic cartilage primarily found?
- Which of the following is TRUE regarding the perichondrium of elastic cartilage?
- How do the chondrocytes of elastic cartilage typically appear compared to those in hyaline cartilage?
- Which protein is the main component of the branching fibers found in this tissue?