A mature cartilage cell that lives within the solid matrix of cartilage tissue and maintains the cartilage's structure and function.
From Greek 'chondros' (cartilage) + 'kytos' (cell). The term was coined in the 19th century as microscopy revealed the cellular composition of cartilage tissue.
Chondrocytes are kind of like the busy workers in an apartment building—they live inside the walls (the cartilage matrix) they help maintain, slowly rebuilding and repairing their surrounding home throughout your life.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.