
Cartilage is a type of tissue that helps joints keep their shape while moving and connects other tissues to bones. It is found in tendons, ligaments, intervertebral discs, some bones' articular surfaces, and menisci. Cartilage is formed from the mesoderm germ layer by the process of chondrogenesis, which involves the differentiation of mesenchyme tissue into chondroblasts, the cells that secrete the molecules that form the extracellular matrix. Chondrification, or the maturing of immature cartilage, is another important process in cartilage formation.
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What You'll Learn
- Cartilage is the main skeletal tissue in early ontogenetic stages
- Cartilage helps joints keep their shape while moving
- Cartilage is formed from condensed mesenchyme tissue
- Cartilage does not contain nerves
- Cartilage is commonly found in tendons, ligaments, intervertebral discs, and some bones' articular surfaces

Cartilage is the main skeletal tissue in early ontogenetic stages
Cartilage is a resilient and smooth type of connective tissue. It is semi-transparent and non-porous, and it is usually covered by a tough and fibrous membrane called perichondrium. In all vertebrates, cartilage is the main skeletal tissue in early ontogenetic stages. It forms the skeleton of mammalian embryos before bone formation begins and persists in parts of the human skeleton into adulthood. Cartilage is the only component of the skeletons of certain primitive vertebrates, including lampreys and sharks.
Cartilage is formed from the mesoderm germ layer by the process known as chondrogenesis. Chondrification (also known as chondrogenesis) is the process by which cartilage is formed from condensed mesenchyme tissue, which differentiates into chondroblasts and begins secreting the molecules (aggrecan and collagen type II) that form the extracellular matrix. Once initial chondrification occurs, the immature cartilage grows mainly by developing into a more mature state since it cannot grow by mitosis. The division of cells within cartilage occurs very slowly, and thus growth in cartilage is usually not based on an increase in size or mass of the cartilage itself.
Cartilage is found in many parts of the body, including the ends of bones in free-moving joints, the ends of the ribs, the nose, the larynx, the trachea, and the bronchi. It is also found in the intervertebral discs, some bones' articular surfaces, and menisci. Cartilage helps joints keep their shape while moving and connects other tissues together and to bones. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments are connected to cartilage throughout the body.
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Cartilage helps joints keep their shape while moving
Cartilage is formed from condensed mesenchyme tissue, which differentiates into chondroblasts and begins secreting the molecules (aggrecan and collagen type II) that form the extracellular matrix. This process is known as chondrification or chondrogenesis.
Cartilage can resist high degrees of tension and compression. It is commonly found in tendons, ligaments, intervertebral discs, some bones' articular surfaces, and menisci. Unlike other cartilages, it has no perichondrium.
In all vertebrates, cartilage is the main skeletal tissue in early ontogenetic stages. Following the initial chondrification that occurs during embryogenesis, cartilage growth consists mostly of the maturing of immature cartilage to a more mature state.
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Cartilage is formed from condensed mesenchyme tissue
Cartilage is a type of connective tissue that helps joints keep their shape while moving. It also connects other tissue together and to bones.
During embryogenesis, the skeletal system is derived from the mesoderm germ layer. Following the initial chondrification that occurs during embryogenesis, cartilage growth consists mostly of the maturing of immature cartilage to a more mature state. The division of cells within cartilage occurs very slowly, and thus growth in cartilage is usually not based on an increase in size or mass of the cartilage itself.
In vertebrates, cartilage is the main skeletal tissue in early ontogenetic stages. In osteichthyans, many cartilaginous elements subsequently ossify through endochondral and perichondral ossification.
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Cartilage does not contain nerves
Cartilage is the main skeletal tissue in early ontogenetic stages. It is formed from condensed mesenchyme tissue, which differentiates into chondroblasts and begins secreting the molecules (aggrecan and collagen type II) that form the extracellular matrix. The division of cells within cartilage occurs very slowly, and thus growth in cartilage is usually not based on an increase in size or mass of the cartilage itself.
Cartilage helps your joints keep their shape while moving. It also connects other tissue together and to your bones. Muscles, tendons and ligaments are connected to cartilage throughout your body. Almost any place where two bones meet in your body is cushioned by cartilage. It’s also at the ends of all your bones that form joints.
Cartilage does not have a blood supply, but some fibrocartilage, such as the meniscus of the knee, has partial blood supply. Nutrition is supplied to the chondrocytes by diffusion. The compression of the articular cartilage or flexion of the elastic cartilage generates fluid flow, which assists the diffusion of nutrients to the chondrocytes.
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Cartilage is commonly found in tendons, ligaments, intervertebral discs, and some bones' articular surfaces
Cartilage is a connective tissue that forms the skeleton of mammalian embryos before bone formation begins. It is the only component of the skeletons of certain primitive vertebrates, including lampreys and sharks. Cartilage is also found in some arthropods, such as horseshoe crabs, molluscs, and annelids.
In all vertebrates, cartilage is the main skeletal tissue in early ontogenetic stages. It is formed from condensed mesenchyme tissue, which differentiates into chondroblasts and begins secreting the molecules (aggrecan and collagen type II) that form the extracellular matrix. This process is known as chondrification or chondrogenesis. Once initial chondrification occurs, the immature cartilage grows mainly by developing into a more mature state since it cannot grow by mitosis.
There are three types of cartilage: hyaline, elastic, and fibrocartilage. Hyaline cartilage is the most common type, lining the joints and capping the ends of bones. It is a glossy blue-white in appearance and very resilient. Elastic cartilage is present in the ear, nose, and parts of the lungs. It is highly flexible and contains elastic fibres in addition to collagen. Fibrocartilage is found in the menisci of the knee and the discs of the spine. It is a major component of entheses, the connective tissue between muscle tendon or ligament and bone.
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Frequently asked questions
Cartilage is the main skeletal tissue in early ontogenetic stages. It helps joints keep their shape while moving and connects other tissue to bones.
Cartilage is formed from condensed mesenchyme tissue, which differentiates into chondroblasts and begins secreting the molecules (aggrecan and collagen type II) that form the extracellular matrix. The division of cells within cartilage occurs very slowly, and thus growth in cartilage is usually not based on an increase in size or mass of the cartilage itself.
The process by which cartilage is formed is called chondrification (also known as chondrogenesis).











































