Trabecular cartilage

Trabecular Cartilage is a type of cartilage that is found in certain vertebrates, including some fish and amphibians. It is characterized by its spongy, lattice-like structure, which is formed by a network of fine trabeculae or "little beams".

Etymology

The term "trabecular" is derived from the Latin word "trabecula", which means "little beam". This refers to the beam-like structures that form the lattice network in this type of cartilage.

Structure and Function

Trabecular cartilage is composed of a network of fine trabeculae that form a spongy, lattice-like structure. This structure provides a high degree of flexibility and resilience, making it well-suited to areas of the body that require both strength and flexibility, such as the gill arches of fish and the larynx and trachea of amphibians.

Unlike other types of cartilage, such as hyaline cartilage and fibrocartilage, trabecular cartilage does not contain chondrocytes within lacunae. Instead, the cells are dispersed throughout the extracellular matrix, which is composed of collagen and proteoglycans.

Distribution

Trabecular cartilage is found in certain vertebrates, including some species of fish and amphibians. In fish, it is found in the gill arches, where it provides support and flexibility. In amphibians, it is found in the larynx and trachea, where it helps to maintain the shape of these structures while allowing for movement and flexibility.

Related Terms

• Cartilage: A flexible connective tissue found in many areas of the body.
• Trabeculae: The small, beam-like structures that form the lattice network in trabecular cartilage.
• Chondrocytes: The cells that produce and maintain the cartilaginous matrix in most types of cartilage.
• Collagen: A protein that provides strength and structure to various tissues in the body, including cartilage.
• Proteoglycans: Large molecules that are part of the extracellular matrix in cartilage, where they bind water and help to provide resilience.

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