A fibrous connective tissue; it may also be converted into bone tissues during postembryonic development. It is rich in collagen and chondroitin sulfate. The Ror2 receptor-like tyrosine kinase deficiency leads to skeletal abnormalities and brachydactyly.  collagen,  chondrocyte,  brachydactyly,  arthritis,  aggrecanase,  shark cartilage; Mariani FV, Martin GR 2003 Nature [Lond] 423:319.