Skeleton intervertebral discs. It is not as hard and rigid as bone but is stiffer and less flexible than muscle. Cartilage is composed of specialized cells called chondrocytes that produce a large amount of extracellular matrix composed of Type II collagen (except Fibrocartilage which also contains type I collagen) fibers, abundant ground substance rich in proteoglycan, and elastin fibers. Cartilage is classified in three types, elastic cartilage, hyaline cartilage and fibrocartilage, which differ in the relative amounts of these three main components. Unlike other connective tissues, cartilage does not contain blood vessels. The chondrocytes are supplied by diffusion, helped by the
Mucopolysaccharide–cartilage complex Mucopolysaccharide–cartilage complex Mucopolysaccharide–cartilage complex (MCC) is a healing ointment derived from bovine trachea. It is a complex mixture containing naturally occurring biologically active substances present in living cartilage. John F. Prudden, discovered the clinical value of MCC in 1954, when he was an Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center. As part of a study to reverse the negative effects of corticosteroids on wound healing, Dr. Prudden applied MCC powder to open wounds. The MCC accelerated wound healing and reduced inflammation of the surrounding tissues. A clinical trial of MCC in the treatment of inflammation and the