The key difference between perichondrium and periosteum is that perichondrium is the dense membrane of connective tissue that covers cartilages while periosteum is the membrane that covers all the bones in the body.
Perichondrium and periosteum are two types of connective tissues present in the body. Perichondrium is a fibrous connective tissue whilst periosteum is a membranous connective tissue. Both connective tissues protect the bones from injury. But, they possess different other primary functions. Thus, this article focuses on the difference between perichondrium and periosteum.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Perichondrium
3. What is Periosteum
4. Similarities Between Perichondrium and Periosteum
5. Side by Side Comparison – Perichondrium vs Periosteum in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is Perichondrium?
The perichondrium is a fibrous connective tissue. It is a dense layer that covers cartilage in the body. Hence, perichondrium is present in most parts of the body. It is made out of two layers: outer fibrous layer and inner chondrogenic layer. The outer fibrous layer contains collagen-producing fibroblast cells. The inner chondrogenic layer contains fibroblast cells which produce chondroblasts and chondrocytes. Perichondrium is commonly present in the nose, hyaline cartilage in larynx and trachea, elastic cartilage in ear, between the spinal vertebrae, epiglottis and in areas that connect the ribs to the sternum.
The main function of this connective tissue is to protect bones from injury. It also provides elasticity to different parts of the body while reducing friction. Moreover, perichondrium promotes cell regeneration and reduces recovery time during injury. In adults, perichondrium doesn’t cover the articular cartilage in joints, but it is present in children. Hence, cellular regeneration is more likely in children than in adults.
What is Periosteum?
Periosteum is a thin layer of connective tissue that promotes bone growth and development. Also, this connective tissue facilitates the transportation of blood and nutrients to the bone. Moreover, it consists of two different layers: the fibrous periosteum and the osteogenic periosteum. The fibrous periosteum is the outermost layer to the bone. It contains densely packed blood vessels, nerve endings, and lymphatics. Blood vessels enter the tissue via Volkmann canals in the fibrous periosteum. It also serves as a location where skeletal muscles attache to the bone.
Figure 01: Periosteum
The osteogenic periosteum is the innermost layer to the bone. Here, the cells aren’t tightly packed. These cells are osteoblasts. Osteoblasts are bone-forming cells. Hence, they facilitate bone growth and repair. Osteoblasts could be stimulated for repair during bone fractures. However, the rate of recovery is slower in adults than in children.
What are the Similarities Between Perichondrium and Periosteum?
- Perichondrium and periosteum are two types of connective tissues.
- Both types are present in the human body.
- And, they are connected with the skeletal system.
- Also, both support the packing, connection and holding other types of tissues.
What is the Difference Between Perichondrium and Periosteum?
Perichondrium and perosteum are two types of connective tissues that exist as membranes. In definition, perichondrium is a dense layer of fibrous connective tissue that covers cartilage in the body while periosteum is a thin layer of connective tissue that covers the bone and promotes bone growth and development. So, we can consider this as the key difference between perichondrium and periosteum. In fact, perichondrium is a fibrous connective tissue while periosteum is a membranous connective tissue. Furthermore, another significant difference between perichondrium and periosteum is that the perichondrium consists of fibroblast cells while periosteum consists of osteoblast cells.
Moreover, a further difference between perichondrium and periosteum is the location. Generally, perichondrium is present in the nose, hyaline cartilage in larynx and trachea, elastic cartilage in ear, etc. Periosteum is present in the surfaces of bone tissue. Besides these, the primary function of perichondrium is to cover cartilage to protect the bones from injury. Whereas, the primary function of periosteum is to facilitate the supply of blood and nutrients to the bone tissue. As a secondary function, perichondrium provides elasticity to different parts of the body while reducing friction while periosteum provides protection to the bone tissue and stimulates the recovery during a bone fracture. Therefore, these are the functional difference between perichondrium and periosteum.
Below infographic summarizes the difference between perichondrium and periosteum.
Summary – Perichondrium vs Periosteum
Perichondrium is a fibrous connective tissue which covers cartilages while periosteum is a membranous connective tissue that covers surfaces of bone tissues. So, this is the key difference between perichondrium and periosteum. Perichondrium covers cartilage to protect the bones from injury. It consists of fibroblast cells. It is located in different regions of the body such as nose, hyaline cartilage in larynx and trachea, etc. Whereas, periosteum facilitates the supply of blood and nutrients to the bone tissue through Volkmann canals. It consists of osteoblasts cells. As a significant similarity, both perichondrium and periosteum are connected with the skeletal system. Thus, this is a summary of the difference between perichondrium and periosteum.
Reference:
1. “Perichondrium.” One Stop Information on Anatomy, Available here.
2. “Periosteum of Bone: Definition & Function.” Study.com, Study.com, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “624 Diagram of Compact Bone-new” By OpenStax College – Anatomy & Physiology, Connexions Web site. Jun 19, 2013. (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia