Cartilage is made up of specialized cells called chondrocytes. These chondrocytes produce large amounts of extracellular matrix composed of collagen fibres, proteoglycan, and elastin fibers. There are no blood vessels in cartilage to supply the chondrocytes with nutrients.
Cartilage is made from cells called chondrocytes embedded in a jelly-like ground substance with fibers of collagen, all wrapped in an envelope of tough fibers.