articular cartilage

anatomy

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Last updated

June 18, 2026

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Articular cartilage is a type of hyaline cartilage found on the surfaces of joints in adult humans. It is a smooth, resilient connective tissue that covers the ends of bones within a joint, allowing them to glide over each other with minimal friction. This glasslike tissue is deformable but elastic, enabling it to recover its shape after stress and absorb compressive shock. Unlike bone, articular cartilage lacks blood vessels and nerves, receiving its nourishment primarily from the synovial fluid within the joint. The cells within cartilage, called chondrocytes, are responsible for maintaining the tissue's matrix.1234

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Articular cartilage
Articular cartilage (cartilage that covers the articulating part of a bone) is of the type called hyaline (glasslike) because thin sections of it are translucent, even transparent. Unlike bone, it is easily cut by a sharp knife. It is deformable but elastic, and…
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Articular cartilage (cartilage that covers the articulating part of a bone) is of the type called hyaline (glasslike) because thin sections of it are translucent, even transparent. Unlike bone, it is easily cut by a sharp knife. It is deformable but elastic, and…
Read More