The tissue or cellular substance of cartilage, including the cells and surrounding matrix.
From Greek 'chondros' (cartilage) plus 'enchyma' (tissue or infusion); botanical and zoological term for the fundamental tissue composition.
Cartilage tissue is unique because chondrocytes (cartilage cells) sit alone in tiny cavities surrounded by matrix, making cartilage the only tissue without blood vessels—they survive by diffusion alone.
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