Cartilage is flexible soft supportive connective tissue having non-vascularized (and without any nerve supply solid) matrix of chondrin with fluid filled lacunae containing 1-4 living cells called chondrocytes or chromocytes (or cartilage cells). Importance of cartilage to bones. (i) Cartiliage occurs over articular surfaces of bones where it protects them from frictional damages during movement against one another. (ii) It lies at sternal ends of ribs to give them flexiblity in movement during breathing. (iii) It occurs at inter vertebral discs to function as cushions in the vertebral column.
