ABSTRACT
This book focuses on articular cartilage-the usual cartilage type found in diarthrodial joints (Huery, Hu, and Athanasiou 2012). Though there is mention of other types of cartilage, the main focus is on hyaline articular cartilage. We know that, in general, the cartilages of the body can be classied into three different types based on biochemical properties: hyaline, elastic, and brous cartilage. While all these cartilages share general features, they differ by histomorphology, biochemical composition, and biomechanical properties. There is an intrinsic and strong relationship between the different functions that these cartilages perform within the body and tissue characteristics-in other words, function dictates tissue properties. In terms of articular cartilage, its function as a biomechanical tissue has a direct effect on its biochemical composition, structure, and biomechanical behavior, as manifested by its tensile, shear, and compressive properties. This chapter will cover the structure, composition, and function of articular cartilage at the cell and extracellular matrix levels.
