Which visual feature distinguishes hyaline cartilage from other types of cartilage?

• A. It contains thick bundles of collagen fibers visible under the microscope.
• B. It is highly vascularized with numerous blood vessels.
• C. It has a glassy, translucent matrix with no visible fibers.
• D. It has elastic fibers that give it a dark, web-like appearance.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the three main types of cartilage: hyaline cartilage, elastic cartilage, and fibrocartilage. Each type has distinct structural features and functions.
2. Step 2: Recall that hyaline cartilage is characterized by its glassy, translucent matrix. This matrix lacks visible fibers under the microscope, which is a key distinguishing feature.
3. Step 3: Compare hyaline cartilage to elastic cartilage, which contains elastic fibers that appear dark and web-like under the microscope, giving it flexibility.
4. Step 4: Contrast hyaline cartilage with fibrocartilage, which contains thick bundles of collagen fibers visible under the microscope, providing strength and durability.
5. Step 5: Note that hyaline cartilage is not vascularized (it lacks blood vessels), which is a common feature of all cartilage types. This further distinguishes it from tissues that are highly vascularized.