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. 1997 Jul;191(Pt 1):1–13. doi: 10.1046/j.1469-7580.1997.19110001.x

Review. Articular cartilage chondrons: form, function and failure

C ANTHONY POOLE 1
PMCID: PMC1467653  PMID: 9279653

Abstract

The chondrocyte and its pericellular microenvironment together represent the chondron, historically considered the primary structural, functional and metabolic unit of articular and other hyaline cartilages. This review summarises research over the last 10 years to establish the molecular anatomy, functional properties and metabolic contribution of the chondron in articular cartilage homeostasis, and its failure during the initiation and progression of degenerative osteoarthritis.

Keywords: Articular cartilage, chondrons, chondrocytes, pericellular microenvironment, osteoarthritis

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Selected References

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