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Cartilage has many functions, including resisting compressive forces, enhancing bone resilience, and providing support in bony areas where flexibility is needed (see Image. Cartilage and Bone Illustration). The primary cell that makes cartilage is the chondrocyte, which resides within the lacunae. The cartilage matrix consists of fibrous tissue and various combinations of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans. Cartilage, once synthesized, lacks a lymphatic or blood supply, and the movement of waste and nutrition is chiefly done via diffusion to and from adjacent tissues. 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 blood flow is the main reason cartilage injuries take a long time to heal. Cartilage has no nerve innervation; hence, there is no sensation when injured or damaged. When cartilage calcifies, chondrocytes die. This is followed by the replacement of cartilage with bone-like tissue. Unlike bone, cartilage does not have calcium in the matrix. Instead, it contains high levels of chondroitin, which provides elasticity and flexibility.