Skeletal Tissue

Skeletal Tissue is a type of connective tissue specialized to bear weight and provide the rigidity necessary for the supporting framework of the body. Like any other connective tissue it is made up of cells extracellular (intercellular) matrix. structural and functional differences in the different types of skeletal tissue are related to the nature proportion of the ground substance fibres in the extracellular matrix. The main types of cells have their origin from the primitive mesenchyme

The two varieties of skeletal tissue are Cartilage - is characterized by the nature and predominance of its ground substance. Bone- the extracellular matrix is mineralized. Cartilage is a semi rigid form of skeletal tissue found at sites where it is necessary to have rigidity and strength combined with a certain degree of elasticity in joints, walls of thorax, the larynx, trachea, bronchi, nose and ears.

Cartilage consists of cartilage cells Chondrocytes Intercellular matrix surrounded by a connective tissue membrane - perichondrium The perichondrium contains densely arranged collagen connective tissue in outer region inner layer is cellular and has the potential to differentiate into young cartilage cellschondroblasts. Continued growth of perichondrium is important for the growth of cartilage

Classification of cartilage: classified according to the nature of its fibres into hyaline cartilage white fibro cartilage yellow elastic cartilage. Hyaline cartilage: covers the articular** surfaces of most synovial joints. not covered by perichondrium Bluish purple homogenous basophilic matrix in H&E sections Its elasticity allows to break any force applied to it. its smooth surface allows ease of movement.

White fibrocartilage is similar to hyaline cartilage except that there are excessive amounts of collagen fibres in the EC matrix***. Few Chrondocytes arranged in rows.

Yellow elastic cartilage has a network of braching and anastomosing elastic fibres*** in its ground substances

Bone is a specialized form of supporting tissue

matrix has become mineralized to form a dense, hard substance with high tensile strength adapted for weight bearing constantly change its external form and internal architecture in response to the stresses and strains subjected to during life. store for calcium and other inorganic ions actively participates in the maintenance of calcium homeostasis in the body

Bone exists in two main forms- woven bone lamellar bone. Woven bone : type of bone found in the foetus. the type of bone formed during the repair of fractures Lamellar bone: solid mass of compact or dense bone or arranged in a spongelike manner to form cancellous or spongy bone.

cancellous or spongy bone. network of narrow irregular bars or trabecullae of bone enclosing large intercommunicating spaces which are filled with bone marrow. Compact bone solid dense mass in which the spaces are small and cannot be seen with the naked eye.
The two forms are not sharply separated from one another

Macroscopic appearance of bone A typical long bone(humerus. radius) cut longitudinallya tubular shaft- diaphysis hollow cylinder of compact bone, trabeculae of spongy bone on its inner surface marrow (medullary) cavity with yellow marrow Epiphysis- at the two ends roughly spherical area of spongy bone. spaces between the trabeculae contain red marrow continuous with the medullary cavity In flat bones - skull inner and outer layers (tables) of compact bone in between spongy bone - diploe.

Periosteum vascular membrane covering the outer surface of the bone has the potential to form bone during bone growth and healing. easily stripped off in young bones. In adult bones it is firmly adherent particularly at the site of insertion of tendons and ligaments. periosteal fibres penetrate the surface layers of the bone as perforating fibres of Sharpey. Nutrients reach the bone through vessels that enter through the nutrient foramina.

Microscopic structure of bone Characteristic features of bone arrangement of the bone matrix in layers of plates called the lamellae. Small ovoid spaces, lacunae seen between and within the lamellae contain a single bone cell or osteocyte. radiating from each lacuna,slender tubular canalculi join up with canalculi of adjacent lacunae. canalculi contain the processes of the osteocytes.

compact bone Lamellae may show three different patterns. 1. Haversian systems or osteones Most of the lamellae are arranged as cylindrical units they run parallel to the long axis of the bone. are the unit structure of the bone. each osteone consists of 8 to 15 concentric lamellae around a canal - Haversian canal it contains a neurovascular bundle. osteones appear round or oval in transverse section.

2. interstitial lamellae In between the osteones are irregular areas of lamellae bone,. Osteones and interstitial lamellae are demarcated from neighbouring systems by a strongly basophilic cement line or reversal line it is not traversed by canaliculi. 3.circumferential lamellae outer lies immediately beneath the periosteum. extend almost completely around most of the shaft of the bone. inner- A less developed system of lamellae lines the endosteum

 Haversian canals of different osteones communicate with one another by oblique and transverse channels. They also communicate with the periosteal and endosteal surface by a second system of canals, Volkmans canals blood vessels in the Haversian canals communicate with the blood vessels of the marrow cavity via those canals adjacent canaliculi open into Haversian canals all the lacunae are in communication with the canal.

Cancellous bone trabeculae and spicules are thin are not traversed by blood vessels. Osteones are therefore not seen bone contains fragments of lamellar bone
Periosteum has two layers. outer layer- dense connective tissue collagen and elastic fibres blood vessels and nerves inner layer - more cellular loose connective tissue. During growth this layer contains osteogenic cells - osteogenic layer.

Osteocytes Main cellular component of bone lie in the lacunae. Cytoplasmic processes extend from these cells, into canalculi. are in contact with processes of adjacent cells. apposing cell surfaces forming communicating junctions. The cells are separated from the walls of the lacunae and canalculi by a thin layer of unmineralised matrix. contain poorly developed endoplasmic reticulum mitochondria and ribosomes and inconspicuous golgi complex.

Osteoblasts immature bone cells which secrete the organic bone matrix - osteoid tissue. cells are ovoid, 15-20 in size with long tapering processes in contact with similar processes of adjacent cells.

cytoplasm is basophilic with a large amount of rough endoplasmic reticulum and a well developed Golgi.

cytoplasm has abundant alkaline phosphatase.

Osteoblasts trapped in the osteoid matrix forms osteocytes. Osteoblasts also synthesise and secrete the organic matrix of bone. Osteoclasts found on bone surfaces where resorption of bone is taking place. are large multinucleate giant cells and often lie in shallow depressions known as Howships lacunae on the surface of the bone. cytoplasm is acidophilic and appears foamy with numerous mitochondria and lysosomes

 surface of the cell adjacent to the bone being resorbed has numerous cytoplasmic processes. Mitochondria tend to accumulate near this border. origin of osteoclasts is uncertain. May be that they arise by a fusion of mononuclear cells. Matrix of bone Bone matrix has organic and inorganic components. organic matrix amorphous ground substance glycoprotein collagen fibres -. Type 1

The organic matrix is impregnated by the inorganic bone salts which are responsible for the rigidity and hardness of bone. The salts consists of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate with small amounts of calcium and magnesium fluoride. The minerals are present as crystals (with a hydroxyapatite structure) on and within the collagen fibres arranged in an orderly manner in relation to the periodic cross banding of thefibrils