a-short-review-of-histology

Elastic Cartilage:

Elastic cartilage differs from other types of cartilage due to the presence of elastic fibres, in addition to collagen, in the extracellular matrix
This gives this type of cartilage the ability to be stretched, and recoil to form its original shape
A plate of elastic cartilage forms the skeleton of the external ear - when the ear is twisted and then let go, it recoils to form its original shape

Micrograph of Elastic Cartilage:

Large chondrocytes (CC) are located in the central part of the cartilage plate
New chondroblasts (CB) are smaller more flattened cells located at the edge of the cartilage plate
The plate of cartilage is surrounded by a connective tissue capsule, the perichondrium (PC)
This section has been stained to show elastic fibres black
Notice that the elastic fibres pervade the extracellular matrix of the cartilage
It is these fibres which allow elastic cartilage to change its shape after it has been distorted, eg when twisting someone's ear

Part of a plate of elastic cartilage (from external ear)