Hyaline cartilage

Watch video

Hyaline cartilage is the most common type of cartilage in the human body. It is typically characterized by a firm consistency and a smooth surface. In contrast to fibrocartilage, there is no dense and fibril ECM in hyaline cartilage. Light microscopy usually reveals many densely grouped chondrocytes with strongly stained cartilage capsules in hyaline cartilage. Between them, there is an extracellular ground substance made up of proteoglycans and glycoproteins, which appears much brighter and more homogeneous. The proteins in the ground substance have a high water-binding capacity, which allows the hyaline cartilage to carry out its function.

Hyaline cartilage is usually surrounded by a perichondrium. It is found in joints as articular cartilage, in costal cartilage, in the cartilaginous framework of the nose, the larynx (most parts), the trachea, the bronchi and in growing bones.

Watch the following video to learn more about the properties and histological appearance of hyaline cartilage:

Take a quiz

With the following quiz you can now apply and test your newly acquired knowledge:

Have you challenged yourself enough? To adjust your focus and choose the topics you’ll get quizzed on, try out our customizable quiz.

Browse atlas

Ready to review all these structures in further detail? Browse our image gallery below: