Which statement best describes the tissue shown in the image where the label notes fibrocartilage?

Which statement best describes the tissue shown in the image where the label notes fibrocartilage?

• A. This is fibrocartilage
• B. This is dense regular connective tissue
• C. This is hyaline cartilage
• D. This is adipose tissue

Answer: (A)

The tissue shown is fibrocartilage. It combines a cartilaginous matrix with abundant thick collagen fibers, giving it a very tough, resilient look. You’ll see chondrocytes housed in lacunae interspersed among dense bundles of collagen, which is characteristic of fibrocartilage and helps it resist compression and shear. This differs from dense regular connective tissue, which has tightly packed collagen fibers with fibroblast nuclei but no chondrocytes in lacunae or a cartilaginous matrix. It also differs from hyaline cartilage, which has a smoother, glassy matrix with chondrocytes in lacunae but far less dense collagen. Adipose tissue would show large lipid-filled cells, not cartilage-like cells or thick collagen bundles. Since the label notes fibrocartilage, the description that “This is fibrocartilage” best matches the observed histology.

The tissue shown is fibrocartilage. It combines a cartilaginous matrix with abundant thick collagen fibers, giving it a very tough, resilient look. You’ll see chondrocytes housed in lacunae interspersed among dense bundles of collagen, which is characteristic of fibrocartilage and helps it resist compression and shear. This differs from dense regular connective tissue, which has tightly packed collagen fibers with fibroblast nuclei but no chondrocytes in lacunae or a cartilaginous matrix. It also differs from hyaline cartilage, which has a smoother, glassy matrix with chondrocytes in lacunae but far less dense collagen. Adipose tissue would show large lipid-filled cells, not cartilage-like cells or thick collagen bundles. Since the label notes fibrocartilage, the description that “This is fibrocartilage” best matches the observed histology.