Which structure helps distribute mechanical stress in healthy cartilage but fails during degeneration?
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Correct answer: Proteoglycan network
Proteoglycans retain water and allow cartilage to resist compressive forces. Degeneration reduces proteoglycan content, weakening cartilage resilience.
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More Cartilage Degeneration questions
- Which histological observation may indicate late-stage cartilage degeneration?
- Which major characteristic of cartilage contributes to its limited ability to repair after degeneration?
- Which disease is most commonly associated with degeneration of articular cartilage?
- Which cartilage component primarily deteriorates during degeneration?
- Which cells are primarily responsible for maintaining cartilage matrix and are affected during degeneration?
- Which structural change is commonly observed in degenerating cartilage?