120 CHAPTER 13. 



The disease to which cartilage is most subject is inflammation, which 

 is very readily set up in it by concussion, pressure, or contusion; also 

 by extension to it of inflammation existing in subjacent or neighbouring 

 bone. The result is frequently absorption of the cartilaginous tissue, and 

 the deposit of bone in its place. Cartilage may be broken by an acci- 

 dent. In such cases the reunion, when it takes place, will be by means 

 of osseous deposit, not by any new growth of the cartilage itself. 



232. Fibro-cartilage. 



Fibro-cartilage is intermediate in its structure and uses between carti- 

 lage and fibrous tissue. It is found in various parts of the body, and 

 consists of both the white and yellow varieties, the latter being of a very 

 elastic nature. It builds up such organs as the external ears, the nose, 

 larynx, &c. 



233. Inter- articular fibro-cartilage. 



Inter-articular fibro-cartilage consists of pads and white fibro-cartilage 

 placed between the articular surfaces of certain important joints for the 

 purpose of acting as buffers in preventing concussion. 



234. Fibrous tissue White and Yellow. 



All ligaments, tendons, fascia, and the meshes of areolar tissue are 

 formed of fibrous tissue. It is of two kinds, namely, White and Yellow. 



White fibrous tissue is inelastic. It consists of threads placed parallel 

 to each other, and loosely connected together by areolar tissue. The 

 fibres are exceedingly minute, transparent and undulating. According to 

 their arrangements they compose thin layers of membranes, tendons, or 

 ligaments. 



In the membranous form white fibrous tissue is seen in periosteum and 

 in the fascia covering the various organs. In the collected form it is seen 

 in tendons. The fibres are collected into small fasciculi, and thence into 

 larger bundles, generally ranged side by side. The fasciculi are held 

 together by areolar tissue. Ligaments are similar in structure to ten- 

 dons, but mixed with a certain amount of yellow elastic tissue. Capsular 

 ligaments are similar in structure to the above, although their form is 

 somewhat flatter and more extended. Tendons, being composed wholly 

 of white fibrous tissue, are inelastic, but ligaments and capsular liga- 

 ments, on account of the admixture of yellow tissue in their structure, 

 possess a certain amount of elasticity. 



Yellow fibrous, otherwise called elastic tissue, is composed of still finer 

 threads, which have a tendency to divide transversely, as if made up of 

 cells. It possesses the valuable property of elasticity. It is so elastic 

 that it may be drawn out to double its natural length without losing its 

 power of returning to its original dimensions. It is found in a small 

 quantity in all ligaments, more largely in the ligamentum nuchse and 

 between the vertebrae, in the middle coat of the arteries, and in all parts 

 in which much power of motion is required. The fascia of the abdomen, 



