Which of the following is avascular?

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following is avascular?

Cartilage is avascular, meaning it has no blood vessels. Nutrients reach chondrocytes by diffusion through the extracellular matrix from surrounding tissues or from the perichondrium when present, so the tissue relies on diffusion rather than direct blood supply. This limited vascularity helps explain why cartilage heals slowly and has restricted growth compared to more vascular tissues. In contrast, bone contains a rich network of blood vessels within marrow and the bone matrix, nerve tissue is supplied by blood vessels (vasa nervorum), and skeletal muscle is highly vascularized to meet its high metabolic demands.

Cartilage is avascular, meaning it has no blood vessels. Nutrients reach chondrocytes by diffusion through the extracellular matrix from surrounding tissues or from the perichondrium when present, so the tissue relies on diffusion rather than direct blood supply. This limited vascularity helps explain why cartilage heals slowly and has restricted growth compared to more vascular tissues. In contrast, bone contains a rich network of blood vessels within marrow and the bone matrix, nerve tissue is supplied by blood vessels (vasa nervorum), and skeletal muscle is highly vascularized to meet its high metabolic demands.

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