Cartilage and Ligament Biology

  1. Ligament Biology
    1. Cellular Components
      1. Fibroblasts
        1. Morphological Characteristics
          1. Synthetic Functions
            1. ECM Maintenance
              1. Mechanosensitive Responses
              2. Other Cell Types
                1. Myofibroblasts
                  1. Endothelial Cells
                    1. Nerve Cells
                  2. Extracellular Matrix Structure
                    1. Water Content and Distribution
                      1. Collagen System
                        1. Type I Collagen
                          1. Molecular Structure
                            1. Fibrillar Organization
                              1. Cross-linking Patterns
                              2. Type III Collagen
                                1. Distribution and Function
                                  1. Role in Repair
                                  2. Minor Collagen Types
                                    1. Type V Collagen
                                      1. Type VI Collagen
                                    2. Elastic Fiber System
                                      1. Elastin Distribution
                                        1. Fibrillin Microfibrils
                                          1. Functional Significance
                                          2. Ground Substance Components
                                            1. Proteoglycans
                                              1. Decorin
                                                1. Biglycan
                                                  1. Fibromodulin
                                                  2. Glycoproteins
                                                    1. Fibronectin
                                                      1. Tenascin
                                                        1. Thrombospondin
                                                    2. Hierarchical Organization
                                                      1. Molecular Level
                                                        1. Tropocollagen Structure
                                                        2. Fibrillar Level
                                                          1. Microfibril Assembly
                                                            1. Fibril Structure
                                                            2. Fiber Level
                                                              1. Fiber Bundle Organization
                                                                1. Crimp Patterns
                                                                2. Fascicular Level
                                                                  1. Fascicle Structure
                                                                    1. Interfascicular Matrix
                                                                    2. Organ Level
                                                                      1. Whole Ligament Architecture
                                                                        1. Surrounding Tissues
                                                                      2. Ligament Insertions
                                                                        1. Direct Insertions
                                                                          1. Fibrocartilaginous Transition
                                                                            1. Zonal Organization
                                                                              1. Mineralization Gradients
                                                                              2. Indirect Insertions
                                                                                1. Fibrous Attachments
                                                                                  1. Periosteal Connections
                                                                                    1. Sharpey's Fibers
                                                                                  2. Vascular Supply and Innervation
                                                                                    1. Blood Supply Patterns
                                                                                      1. Arterial Networks
                                                                                        1. Venous Drainage
                                                                                          1. Microvascular Architecture
                                                                                          2. Neural Components
                                                                                            1. Sensory Innervation
                                                                                              1. Proprioceptive Receptors
                                                                                                1. Nociceptive Endings
                                                                                                  1. Autonomic Innervation
                                                                                                2. Biomechanical Characteristics
                                                                                                  1. Stress-Strain Relationships
                                                                                                    1. Toe Region Behavior
                                                                                                      1. Linear Elastic Region
                                                                                                        1. Yield Point
                                                                                                          1. Ultimate Failure
                                                                                                          2. Viscoelastic Properties
                                                                                                            1. Creep Response
                                                                                                              1. Stress Relaxation
                                                                                                                1. Rate Dependency
                                                                                                                  1. Preconditioning Effects
                                                                                                                  2. Functional Biomechanics
                                                                                                                    1. Joint Stability Contributions
                                                                                                                      1. Motion Guidance
                                                                                                                        1. Load Transmission

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                                                                                                                    2. Cartilage Biology

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                                                                                                                    4. Pathophysiology and Disease