An isogenous group (lat. "equal origin") is a cluster of up to eight

chondrocytes Chondrocytes (, from Greek χόνδρος, ''chondros'' = cartilage + κύτος, ''kytos'' = cell) are the only cells found in healthy cartilage. They produce and maintain the cartilaginous matrix, which consists mainly of collagen and proteog ...

found in

hyaline A hyaline substance is one with a glassy appearance. The word is derived from el, ὑάλινος, translit=hyálinos, lit=transparent, and el, ὕαλος, translit=hýalos, lit=crystal, glass, label=none. Histopathology Hyaline cartilage is ...

and

elastic cartilage Elastic cartilage, fibroelastic cartilage or yellow fibrocartilage is a type of cartilage present in the pinnae (auricles) of the ear giving it shape, provides shape for the lateral region of the external auditory meatus, medial part of the audito ...

.Wheater's Functional Histology, 6th ed. Young, O'Dowd and Woodford.

Formation

Chondrocytes develop in the embryo from

mesenchymal Mesenchyme () is a type of loosely organized animal embryonic connective tissue of undifferentiated cells that give rise to most tissues, such as skin, blood or bone. The interactions between mesenchyme and epithelium help to form nearly every o ...

progenitor cells through a process known as

chondrogenesis Chondrogenesis is the process by which cartilage is developed. Cartilage in fetal development In embryogenesis, the skeletal system is derived from the mesoderm germ layer. Chondrification (also known as chondrogenesis) is the process by which ...

. A chondrocyte can then undergo mitosis to form an isogenous group within its lacuna.

Function

Isogenous groups differentiate into individual chondrocytes where they continue to produce and deposit

extracellular matrix In biology, the extracellular matrix (ECM), also called intercellular matrix, is a three-dimensional network consisting of extracellular macromolecules and minerals, such as collagen, enzymes, glycoproteins and hydroxyapatite that provide stru ...

(ECM), lengthening the cartilage and increasing its diameter. This is termed interstitial growth and is one of only two ways cartilage can grow. Cartoon_Hyaline_Cartilage

References

Connective tissue cells {{cell-biology-stub

Formation

Function

See also

References