Difference Between Fibrocartilage and Hyaline Cartilage

The key difference between fibrocartilage and hyaline cartilage is that fibrocartilage is the strongest cartilage composed of alternating layers of hyaline cartilage matrix and thick layers of dense type I and type II collagen fibres while hyaline cartilage is the weakest cartilage composed of widely dispersed fine type II collagen fibres.

Cartilage is a connective tissue present in many places of our body, especially in the joints. It is a soft and flexible structure than a bone. Cartilages carry out several vital functions in our body. They reduce the friction between joints. They also hold bones together and provide structural support in holding the body weight. There are three types of cartilages: fibrocartilage, hyaline cartilage and elastic cartilage. Fibrocartilage is the strongest cartilage while hyaline cartilage is the weakest cartilage.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Fibrocartilage 
3. What is Hyaline Cartilage
4. Similarities Between Fibrocartilage and Hyaline Cartilage
5. Side by Side Comparison – Fibrocartilage vs Hyaline Cartilage in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Fibrocartilage?

Fibrocartilage is one of the three types of cartilages. It is the strongest cartilage type among these three types. It contains alternating layers of hyaline cartilage and thick layers of type I and type II collagen fibres.

Figure 01: Fibrocartilage

Compared to other cartilages, fibrocartilage contains numerous dense collagen fibres. Furthermore, it occurs in areas such as invertebral discs, joint capsules, and ligaments. It is less common than hyaline cartilage. Moreover, fibrocartilage does not have a perichondrium.

What is Hyaline Cartilage?

Hyaline cartilage is the weakest type of cartilage. However, it is the most widespread type of cartilage. It has a glassy appearance. Furthermore, hyaline cartilage has few collagen fibres that are type II.

Figure 02: Hyaline Cartilage

Moreover, they have a perichondrium (fibrous membrane) and occur in the many areas of our body such as in the articular surfaces of long bones, the rib tips, the rings of the trachea, and parts of the skull.

What are the Similarities Between Fibrocartilage and Hyaline Cartilage?

• Fibrocartilage and hyaline cartilage are two types of cartilages in our body.
• They contain collagen fibres.
• Moreover, they are connective tissues composed of chondrocytes and extracellular matrix.
• Also, both cartilages lack blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and nerves.

What is the Difference Between Fibrocartilage and Hyaline Cartilage?

Fibrocartilage and hyaline cartilage are two of the three types of cartilages. Fibrocartilage is the strongest type of cartilage composed of numerous collagen fibres. In contrast, hyaline cartilage is the weakest type of cartilage composed of fewer collagen fibres. Thus, this is the key difference between fibrocartilage and hyaline cartilage.

Furthermore, fibrocartilages are less common, but hyaline cartilages are widespread. Also, fibrocartilage contains numerous type I and type II collagen fibres while hyaline cartilage contains few type II collagen fibres. Therefore, we can consider this too as a difference between fibrocartilage and hyaline cartilage. In fact, fibrocartilage is the strongest cartilage while hyaline cartilage is the weakest cartilage.

Moreover, a further difference between fibrocartilage and hyaline cartilage is their location. Fibrocartilages are found in invertebral discs, joint capsules, ligaments while hyaline cartilages are found in the ribs, nose, larynx, trachea, parts of the skull. Moreover, fibrocartilage does not have a perichondrium while hyaline cartilage has a perichondrium.

Summary – Fibrocartilage vs Hyaline Cartilage

Cartilage is a flexible soft connective tissue. There are three main types of cartilages as fibrocartilage, elastic cartilage, and hyaline cartilage. Fibrocartilage is the strongest type of cartilage consisting of layers of hyaline cartilages and thick layers of dense collagen fibres. In contrast, hyaline cartilage is the weakest type of cartilage composed of fine collagen fibres. Moreover, fibrocartilage does not have a perichondrium while hyaline cartilage has a perichondrium. Fibrocartilages are less common than hyaline cartilages, and they are present in invertebral discs, joint capsules, ligaments while hyaline cartilages are widespread and are present in the ribs, nose, larynx, trachea. Thus, this summarizes the difference between fibrocartilage and hyaline cartilage.

Reference:

1. “Cartilage.” Boundless Anatomy and Physiology. Lumen, Available here.
2. “Hyaline Cartilage – Definition, Structure and Function.” Biology Dictionary, 28 Apr. 2017, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Connective Tissue: Fibrocartilage” By Berkshire Community College Bioscience Image Library (Public Domain) via Flickr
2. “Connective Tissue: Developing Hyaline Cartilage” By Berkshire Community College Bioscience Image Library (Public Domain) via Flickr

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