Chondrocytes (from
Greek χόνδρος,
chondros = cartilage + κύτος,
kytos = cell) are the only cells found in healthy
cartilage. They produce and maintain the cartilaginous matrix, which consists mainly of
collagen and
proteoglycans. Although the word
chondroblast is commonly used to describe an immature chondrocyte, the term is imprecise, since the progenitor of chondrocytes (which are
mesenchymal stem cells) can differentiate into various cell types, including
osteoblasts.