Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology

Tissues 101

Function Characteristics and Location

Fibrocartilage Fibrocartilage is located within

A strong, flexible, supportive intervertebral disks and the pubic

substance found between symphysis between the pubic

bones and wherever great bones.

strength (and a degree of (A)

rigidity) is needed.

Morphology

Chondrocytes^

Dense

white fibers

Source

Walker/Science I. M. ©

(B) Photo

(^) ,
® Learning
(B)
Figure 5- 9 The anatomy of fibrocartilage.
Function Characteristics and Location Morphology
Cengage
© (A)
Elastic cartilage
The intercellular matrix is
embedded with a network
of elastic fibers and is firm
but flexible.
Elastic cartilage is located inside
the auditory ear tube, external
ear, epiglottis, and larynx.

(A)

Elastic fibers

Chondrocyte

Nucleus

Source

Brown/Science Chuck ©

(B) Photo

(^) ,
® Learning
(B)
Cengage
© (A)
Figure 5- 10 The anatomy of elastic cartilage.
bone and looks solid, and cancellous bone, which forms
the inner spongy-looking tissue underneath the compact
bone. When viewed under a microscope, the bone cells
called osteocytes (OSS-tee-oh-sightz) are also found in
cavities or lacunae as we saw in cartilage. However,
the matrix of bone is impregnated with mineral salts,
-particularly calcium and phosphorous, which give bone its
firm, hard appearance (Figure 5-11).
Another specialized connective tissue is dentin, the
material that forms our teeth. Dentin is closely related to