Hyaline Cartilage
Hyaline Cartilage

Hyaline Cartilage

Hyaline cartilage, the most common type of cartilage, is composed of type II collagen and chondromucoprotein and often has a glassy appearance. Note the numerous chondrocytes in this image, each located within lacunae and surrounded by the cartilage they have produced. These cells have relatively small nuclei and often demonstrate lipid droplets in their cytoplasm. The spindle-shaped cells in the perichondrium can differentiate into chondroblasts that will eventually develop into chondrocytes. This type of cartilage is found in the nasal septum, at the ends of the ribs, and in the tracheal rings.