Function: support, protection, weight-bearing at points of movement.
Origin: mesoderm: somites, mesenhyme.
Location: initial skeleton of the fetus, epiphyseal growth plate (epiphyseal discs) in bones, articular cartilages of joints, trachea, bronchi, larynx, nose, the ends of the ribs.
Composition: water, glycosaminoglycans: hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, keratan sulfate.
Composition: predominantly type II collagen
Function: proliferation and differentiation into chondroblasts.
Location: inner cellular layer of perichondrium.
Function: secretion of extracellular matrix: ground substance and collagen fibers
Function: differentiated chondroblasts.
Location: cell clasters (isogenous groups) of inner part of cartilage.
Location: external ear, walls of the auditory (Eustachian) tube, epiglottis, and larynx.
Composition: ground substance, elastic fibers and lamellae, cells.
Location: intervertebral discs, symphysis pubis, articular discs of the sternoclavicular and temporomandibular joints, menisci of the knee joint.
Composition: ground substance, collagen fibers as dense regular connective tissue , cells.