Hyaline Cartilage

Hyaline cartilage is a specific type of cartilage, a connective tissue. It is known and named for its pearl-grey, glass or fog-like appearance derived from the composition of its matrix.

Hyaline cartilage’s ground substance is made from chondrin and is filled randomly with individual collagenous fibers. The collagen in specific gives it its glassy appearance. It also comprises most of the cartilage, densely packing the tissue. Although it is mostly solid, the chondrin has small lacunae which store the chondrocyte cells. This solidity makes material diffuse slowly through the chondrin, as there are no blood vessels in the tissue.

Hyaline cartilage is smooth and semi-flexible. It is found cushioning several bones of the body, such as the end of the elbow, other limbs, and the ribs. It also makes up several organs such as the bridge of the nose, the larynx, and the rings of the trachea found on the front side of the neck. It can be found adjacent to adipose tissue.

Etymologically, hyaline cartilage derives from the adjective hyaline, which means glassy, transparent, or amorphous. The term originates from the Latin term hyalinus, in turn from ὑάλινος (tl. huálinos for an adjectival crystal or glass.)