perichondrium
/ˌpɛrɪˈkɑndriəm/
noun
- The dense layer of fibrous connective tissue that covers cartilage, except at the joints, and supplies blood and nutrients to it.
- During growth, cells in the perichondrium help form new cartilage.
- The perichondrium contains blood vessels that nourish the cartilage beneath it.
- Damage to the perichondrium can slow down the healing of a cartilage injury.