GENERAL HISTOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Cartilage, like bone, is surrounded by a perichondrium-like fibrous membrane. This layer is not efficient at regenerating cartilage. Hence, its recovery is slow after injury. The lack of active blood flow is the major reason any injury to cartilage takes a long time to heal.

Detailed explanation-2: -Cartilage is described as essentially avascular because it contains considerably fewer vessels than bone, and yet cartilage often does contain some blood vessels (Fig. 1d).

Detailed explanation-3: -Cartilage Healing Considerations Cartilage is avascular, meaning that it has no blood supply. The lack of blood circulation in cartilage means that it is a very slow-healing type of tissue. Nutrition to cartilage is maintained by fluid in the joints, which lubricates the tissue.

Detailed explanation-4: -Why do bone injuries heal much more rapidly than injuries to cartilage? Bones are highly vascularized, whereas cartilage has poor vascularization and relies on diffusion for nutrient supplies.

Detailed explanation-5: -Because articular cartilage has no direct blood supply, it has little or no capacity to repair itself from mechanical destruction. Depending on the extent of the damage and location of the injury, it is sometimes possible for the articular cartilage cells to heal.