Question

Cartilage is present in the joints of our body, which helps in their smooth movement. With advancing age, this cartilage wears off. How would this affect the movement of joints?

Answer 1

Cartilage:

1. Cartilage is a flexible tissue that coats the surfaces of the bones in our joints.
2. It is stiffer and less flexible than muscle tissue, but not as rigid as bone.
3. Because cartilage lacks blood vessels and nerves, it is supplied with nutrients through compression and flexing.
4. Because cartilage has a very restricted blood supply, it is more difficult to repair than other types of connective tissue.

Functions of cartilage:

1. Cartilage cushions your bones' ends, allowing them to glide smoothly and effortlessly against one another.
2. The synovium is a membrane that surrounds our joints and produces a thick fluid that helps maintain your cartilage healthy.

The following events occur when there is wear and tear in cartilage:

1. When the cartilage wears down, the synovium might become inflammatory and thickened.
2. This results in inflammation and excess fluid accumulating within your joints, resulting in swelling.
3. Furthermore, the cartilage may not provide enough cushioning to the underlying bones.
4. When the bone surfaces come into close contact with each other, the friction between bones increases leading to joint pain.