Chondroblasts, or perichondrial cells, is the name given to
mesenchymal progenitor cells in situ which, from
endochondral ossification, will form
chondrocytes in the growing
cartilage matrix. Another name for them is subchondral cortico-spongious progenitors. They have euchromatic nuclei and stain by basic dyes. These cells are extremely important in
Chondrogenesis due to their role in forming both the Chondrocytes and cartilage matrix which will eventually form cartilage. Use of the term is technically inaccurate since mesenchymal progenitors can also technically differentiate into
osteoblasts or
fat. Chondroblasts are called Chondrocytes when they embed themselves in the cartilage matrix, consisting of
proteoglycan and
collagen fibers, until they lie in the matrix
lacunae. Once they embed themselves into the cartilage matrix, they grow the cartilage matrix by growing more cartilage
extracellular matrix rather than by dividing further.