What is the size of chondrocytes?

Chondrocytes are the only specialized cell type found in the cartilage tissue. Their diameters vary in between 7 and 30 µm according to the anatomical layer. These cells form 1–2% of the tissue volume (Alford and Cole, 2005). They are responsible for functional and structural integrity of cartilage.

Where do chondrocytes grow in size?

epiphyseal plate
The epiphyseal plate is the area of growth in a long bone. It is a layer of hyaline cartilage where ossification occurs in immature bones. On the epiphyseal side of the epiphyseal plate, cartilage is formed. On the diaphyseal side, cartilage is ossified, allowing the diaphysis to grow in length.

Are chondrocytes mature?

The chondroblast is now a mature chondrocyte that is usually inactive but can still secrete and degrade the matrix, depending on conditions. Chondrocytes undergo terminal differentiation when they become hypertrophic, which happens during endochondral ossification.

Do chondrocytes grow?

Formation of the Fetal Growth Plate. Chondrocytes restart proliferation in a relatively uniform manner within the cartilaginous template. As the cartilage enlarges, chondrocytes stop proliferating in the center, drastically change their cell morphology, and become special chondrocytes termed hypertrophic chondrocytes.

What are chondrocytes responsible for?

Chondrocytes in the AC proliferate and secrete extracellular matrix to maintain and sustain the cartilage. The cells themselves are separated from each other by cartilage matrix [2]. They respond to outside stimuli and tissue damage, and are also responsible for degenerative conditions, such as osteoarthritis (OA).

How do chondrocytes grow?

Cartilage can grow in two ways: Interstitial growth – chondrocytes grow and divide and lay down more matrix inside the existing cartilage. Appositional growth – new surface layers of matrix are added to the pre-existing matrix by new chondroblasts from the perichondrium.

Is the zone of resting cartilage?

Chondrocytes in the resting zone are irregularly scattered in a bed of cartilage matrix, whereas chondrocytes in the proliferative and hypertrophic zones are arranged in columns parallel to the long axis of the bone (1). The hypertrophic zone also plays a key role in endochondral bone formation.

What is the function of chondrocytes?

Chondrocytes in normal adult articular cartilage are stable, differentiated cells that maintain tissue homeostasis by synthesizing a very low level of ECM to replace damaged matrix molecules, thereby preserving the structural integrity of the cartilage matrix.

Do chondrocytes secrete collagen?

Chondrocytes recognize the loss of ECM and actively produce collagen type II and proteoglycans.

Why do chondrocytes undergo hypertrophy?

The vertebrate growth plate is an essential tissue that mediates and controls bone growth. It forms through a multistep differentiation process in which chondrocytes differentiate, proliferate, stop dividing and undergo hypertrophy, which entails a 20-fold increase in size.

Where are osteocytes and chondrocytes found?

Chondrocytes are located in the cartilage of the body and osteocytes are located in the bone.

Where is chondrocytes found in the body?

cartilage connective tissue
Chondrocytes, or chondrocytes in lacunae, are cells found in cartilage connective tissue. They are the only cells located in cartilage.

Where are chondrocytes found in the human body?

They are found sitting in lacunae which are matrices enclosing the compartments. While the older chondrocytes comprise fat droplets, the active cells are large in size and secretory in nature with basophilic cytoplasm since they comprise rough endoplasmic reticulum.

How are chondrocytes different in articular cartilage?

The shape, size, and number of chondrocytes vary according to zones and regions of articular cartilage (Stockwell, 1978). In superficial zones, they are flat and small. The density of chondrocytes in deeper zones is less as compared to superficial zone.

When does the density of chondrocytes decrease?

The cellular density of chondrocytes is highest in early ages (0–2 years) and decreases with the advancing age of individual (Mitrovic et al., 1983). The shape, size, and number of chondrocytes vary according to zones and regions of articular cartilage (Stockwell, 1978).

How does ECM affect the turnover of chondrocytes?

Chondrocytes secrete ECM and are immobilized within this specific environment, which affects the turnover of ECM. This entrapment inhibits direct cell-to-cell interaction. However, the cells respond to stimuli such as growth factors, mechanical loads, piezoelectric forces, and hydrostatic pressure (Buckwalter et al., 1988).