Articular cartilage is made up of –
**Core Concept**
Articular cartilage is a highly specialized connective tissue that covers the ends of bones in synovial joints, enabling smooth movement and absorbing shock. It is composed of **chondrocytes**, **collagen fibers**, and **proteoglycans**. The main component of articular cartilage is **water**, which makes up about 70-80% of its weight.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is not provided, however, articular cartilage is primarily made up of **type II collagen** and **proteoglycans** such as **aggrecan**. The **chondrocytes** produce and maintain the cartilaginous matrix, which consists of **collagen fibers**, **proteoglycans**, and **water**.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Incorrect because the composition is not specified.
**Option B:** Incorrect because the composition is not specified.
**Option C:** Incorrect because the composition is not specified.
**Option D:** Incorrect because the composition is not specified.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key point to remember is that articular cartilage has no **blood supply**, **nerves**, or **lymphatic vessels**, making it reliant on **diffusion** from the synovial fluid for nutrition and waste removal.
**Correct Answer:** Not provided, however, the main components are **chondrocytes**, **type II collagen**, and **proteoglycans**.