Question 1

Which type of cartilage provides support, flexibility, and resilience, and is the most abundant type found in joints, costal ribs, respiratory larynx, and nasal cartilage?

Accepted Answer

Hyaline cartilage

Question 2

The perichondrium is best described as:

Accepted Answer

A layer of dense connective tissue surrounding cartilage that resists outward expansion and contains blood vessels for nutrient delivery.

Question 3

Which of the following statements about cartilage is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

Chondrocytes are found in lacunae within a jelly-like extracellular matrix.

Question 4

Elastic cartilage differs from hyaline cartilage in that it:

Accepted Answer

Contains elastic fibers, providing greater flexibility, and is found in the external ear and epiglottis.

Question 5

Fibrocartilage is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Great tensile strength due to thick collagen fibers, found in the menisci of the knee and intervertebral discs.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a function of the perichondrium?

Accepted Answer

Directly producing bone matrix for ossification.

Question 7

A histological image of cartilage at 400X magnification shows chondrocytes within lacunae. What is the primary function of these chondrocytes?

Accepted Answer

To maintain and secrete the extracellular matrix of cartilage.

Question 8

Which type of cartilage would you expect to find in the intervertebral discs, and what property does it provide?

Accepted Answer

Fibrocartilage; resistance to compression and tensile strength

Question 9

If a patient suffers damage to the perichondrium of their costal cartilage, which of the following consequences is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Reduced nutrient delivery to the cartilage, impairing its growth and repair.

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why cartilage heals slowly after injury?

Accepted Answer

Cartilage lacks blood vessels, so nutrients and repair cells must diffuse from surrounding tissues.

Question 11

A biopsy of a patient's external ear reveals a cartilage type with abundant elastic fibers. Which cartilage type is this, and what is its main function?

Accepted Answer

Elastic cartilage; maintaining shape and flexibility

Question 12

Which of the following statements about the extracellular matrix of cartilage is correct?

Accepted Answer

It is a jelly-like substance that provides resilience and flexibility.

Question 13

Which cartilage type is most likely to be found in the epiglottis and what is its distinguishing feature?

Accepted Answer

Elastic cartilage; contains elastic fibers for flexibility

Question 14

A patient presents with joint pain and imaging reveals degeneration of the cartilage covering the ends of their long bones. Which cartilage type is affected?

Accepted Answer

Hyaline cartilage (articular cartilage)

Question 15

Which of the following is a correct sequence for the layers of cartilage growth from the outermost to innermost?

Accepted Answer

Perichondrium → Chondrocytes in lacunae → Extracellular matrix

Bones and Skeletal Tissues: Structure, Types, and Functions

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