Kondrosyyteillä

Kondrosyyteillä are mature chondrocytes, which are the cells responsible for synthesizing and maintaining the cartilaginous matrix in cartilage. These cells are derived from chondroblasts, which are the precursor cells. Once chondroblasts become embedded in the extracellular matrix they produce, they differentiate into chondrocytes and are then referred to as kondrosyyteillä. They reside within small cavities in the matrix called lacunae. Kondrosyyteillä are typically round or oval in shape and possess a nucleus and various organelles necessary for protein synthesis and secretion. Their primary function is to produce and secrete the collagen fibers and proteoglycans that form the structural framework of cartilage, providing it with its characteristic strength and resilience. These cells are avascular, meaning they do not have their own blood supply, and rely on diffusion from the surrounding perichondrium or synovial fluid for nutrient and oxygen exchange. This limited diffusion also contributes to the slow metabolic rate and limited regenerative capacity of cartilage. Kondrosyyteillä play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of skeletal structures, articular surfaces, and other cartilaginous tissues throughout the body.