Every time you jump, tough cushions in your knees and back soak up the bump. Chondrocytes in fibrocartilage look after those cushions.
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Fibrocartilage is the toughest kind of cartilage. It's in the cushions between the bones of your spine, and in pads inside your knees.
Its chondrocytes often sit in little rows. Between the rows are thick bundles of collagen fibers, like ropes.
Each of your knees has two C-shaped cushions made of fibrocartilage. They're called menisci (say: meh-NISS-kye).
Fibrocartilage is like a strong, rubbery pad. When you run or jump, it squishes a little and spreads out the push, so your bones don't bang together.
The chondrocytes keep the pad in good shape by making and fixing its fibers and matrix.
Scroll up to the 3D model and press Jump! to see the cushion squish.
By Smile and Learn - English. A fun video for kids.
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