What is articular cartilage & why is it important?
Articular cartilage is a firm, resilient, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in movable joints. Cartilage is important because its physical characteristics are responsible for much of the shock absorption and lubrication that facilitates normal joint function. Like all tissues, cartilage is made and maintained by specialised cells. The cells that produce and maintain cartilage are called chondrocytes (chondro = cartilage), and they make up only 5% of the total volume of cartilage tissue. The remaining 95% of the volume is made up of an intercellular gel-like matrix composed of protein, water and collagen, and chains of sugar-based molecules called glycosaminoglycans, or GAGs. The chondrocytes produce the matrix, and the matrix, in turn, surrounds and supports the chondrocytes. Because such a large percentage of cartilage is composed of the matrix, normal cartilage structure and function depend to a large extent on matrix integrity.
