Which tissue covers the articular surfaces of bones in joints?

Which tissue covers the articular surfaces of bones in joints?

• A. Hyaline cartilage
• B. Fibrocartilage
• C. Elastic cartilage
• D. Periosteum

Answer: (A)

At joints, the ends of bones are covered by a smooth, slippery tissue that minimizes friction and helps bones glide together. This tissue is hyaline cartilage, the articular cartilage that coats the joint surfaces. It provides a low-friction, resilient surface and helps distribute load across the joint. It’s a type of cartilage rich in type II collagen and proteoglycans, and the surface is typically without perichondrium to allow smooth movement. The other options don’t fit because fibrocartilage appears in discs and menisci, elastic cartilage is found in structures like the ear and epiglottis, and periosteum is the fibrous membrane that covers bone surfaces rather than the articular surfaces.

At joints, the ends of bones are covered by a smooth, slippery tissue that minimizes friction and helps bones glide together. This tissue is hyaline cartilage, the articular cartilage that coats the joint surfaces. It provides a low-friction, resilient surface and helps distribute load across the joint. It’s a type of cartilage rich in type II collagen and proteoglycans, and the surface is typically without perichondrium to allow smooth movement. The other options don’t fit because fibrocartilage appears in discs and menisci, elastic cartilage is found in structures like the ear and epiglottis, and periosteum is the fibrous membrane that covers bone surfaces rather than the articular surfaces.