<unk>  is a type of dense connective tissue. It is composed of specialized cells called chondrocytes that produce a large amount of extracellular matrix composed of collagen fibers, abundant ground substance rich in proteoglycan, and elastin fibers.<unk>  is classified in three types, elastic<unk> , hyaline<unk>  and fibrocartilage, which differ in the relative amounts of these three main components.<unk>  is found in many places in the body including the articular surface of the bones, the rib cage, the ear, the nose, the bronchial tubes and the intervertebral discs. Its mechanical properties are intermediate between bone and dense connective tissue like tendon.
Unlike other connective tissues,<unk>  does not contain blood vessels. The chondrocytes are fed by 
diffusion, helped by the pumping action generated by compression of the articular<unk>  or flexion of the elastic<unk> . Thus, compared to other connective tissues,<unk>  grows and repairs more slowly.
Cartilage
Bone
Blood vessel
Connective tissue
Tendon
Nervous tissue
Tissue 
Dendrite