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How is bone different from cartilage?
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bone
A long bone of the human body, showing a magnified cross section of the interior.
Bone and cartilage are both forms of connective tissue, but they differ significantly in structure, composition, and function:
- Vascularity and Innervation: Unlike bone, which contains blood vessels and nerves, cartilage is avascular and lacks nerves. Cartilage receives nutrients through diffusion from surrounding tissues.41
- Composition: Bone is a rigid tissue composed of cells embedded in a hard matrix of collagen and calcium phosphate. Cartilage consists of chondrocytes embedded in a firm, gelatinous matrix that provides flexibility and tensile strength.213
- Function: Bone provides structural support, protects organs, serves as a site for bone marrow, and acts as a mineral reservoir. Cartilage is primarily used to cushion joints, support soft tissues, and maintain the shape of structures like the nose and ears.24
- Development: In the embryo, cartilage often serves as a model for the developing skeleton, gradually being replaced by bone through a process of ossification.13