Difference between Elastic Cartilage and Elastic Connective Tissue

Human body is composed of many connective tissues and cartilage is one of them. Cartilage is very strong connective tissue that protects joints and bones. It also reduces friction between two joints that occurs in excessively functioning joints. Although cartilage is one of the connective tissues, it is different then other tissues. 

• Cartilage does not possess blood vessels.
• It is secreted by chondrocytes.
• Unlike other connective tissues, cartilages are suspended in the matrix.
• The term elastic in elastic cartilage refers to the property of elasticity.
• Elastic cartilage is much more flexible than any other tissues.
• Elastic cartilage and elastic connective tissue are two types of tissues found in the human body that have elastic properties. 

Key terms: Connective tissue, Cartilages, Elastic tissues, Fibers, Elasticity in organs.

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What is Elastic Cartilage?

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Elastic cartilage is a type of tissue that provides support with flexibility. It is a structural tissue for body parts which are non-load-bearing. For example, it gives structural support and frames the ears, nose and epiglottis. These are the body parts that do not experience high mechanical loads.

• Elastic cartilage is yellow in appearance.
• It is more pliable than other tissues.
• It has elastin along with the collagen fibers.

There are two other forms of cartilage tissue- Hyaline cartilage and Fibrous cartilage.

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What is Elastic Connective Tissue?

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Connective Tissue in general, is a type of tissue that connects, supports, joints or separates other tissues and organs. Connective tissues are classified into 4 classes:

1. Blood
2. Bone
3. Cartilage
4. Connective tissue proper (Elastic Connective Tissue)

Among these three types of connective tissue, cartilage is more flexible and also has elastic type of tissue. However, elastic cartilage and elastic connective tissue differ from each other in some manner.

Elastic connective tissue is dense and provides tensile strength-resistance to stretching. Like elastic cartilage, it has both elastic and collagen fibers (Fibroblasts). An elastic property of flexibility of elastic tissue means that it ensures that structure can return to its original position after stretching it. 

• Elastic connective tissue is found in dermis and pericardium that supports and encloses the heart.
• This fibrous tissue is found where the organ is going under mechanical stretch.
• The elastic connective tissue or connective tissue proper occurs as an elastic layer in the wall of the artery (elastica).

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Structure and Function of Elastic Cartilage

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Elastic cartilage is a type of cartilage that is found in several parts of the body, including the ears and nose. It is unique because it contains elastic fibers in addition to the collagen and proteoglycans that make up other types of cartilage.

Structure

The most flexible cartilage among all the 3 types that supports the part of the body which needs to bend and move is an elastic cartilage. As the name suggests, it is composed of elastic fibers and collagen with elastin protein. 

Location of this cartilage is the external ear and larynx (voice box).

• It has a perichondrium-a layer of dense connective tissue that surrounds the cartilage.
• It appears yellow in color and is also referred to as yellow fibrocartilage.
• Found as suspended in the matrix.

The histology of elastic cartilage is represented in below diagram.

Elastic cartilage, suspended into matrix.

Functions

Prime function of elastic cartilage is to give flexibility and structural support to the organs.

The role elastic cartilage plays are as follows;

• To change the shape of cartilage in response to tension, bending or compression.
• It ensures that the organ returns to its original shape after stretching.

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Structure and Function of Elastic Connective Tissue

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Structure

These tissues are formed via elastogenesis. This process involves proteins like fibulin-4, fibulin-5, microfibril associated proteins.

Schematic representation of elastic connective tissue. The circle represents the nucleus.

Functions

Elastic connective tissue is found in lungs and arteries, dermis layer of skin, ligaments and in tendons. The main role of tissue in these organs is to give strength and elasticity to the structure of the organ.

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Difference Between Elastic Cartilage and Elastic Connective Tissue

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Though the function of both elastic cartilage and elastic connective tissues seems to be similar, they have some differences in terms of location, structure, type of fibers etc. Some major differences between elastic cartilage and elastic connective tissue are given in the table below.

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Classification of Connective Tissue and Cartilage

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Connective tissues and cartilage can be classified as following;

Classification of Connective Tissue and Cartilage

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Things to Remember

• Connective tissues have 4 different types such as blood, bone, cartilage and elastic connective tissue.
• Cartilage has 3 types such as Hyaline cartilage, Fibrocartilage, Elastic cartilage.
• Elastic cartilages provide strength after stretching. It is found in the ears and nose.
• Elastic connective tissue gives tensile strength and structure to the organ. It is found in lund, arteries, dermis and ligaments-tendons.
• Elastic cartilage has chondrocytes whereas elastic connective tissue has fibroblasts.
• Elastic cartilage is more strong and flexible than other connective tissues