Cartilage is a tough, flexible connective tissue composed of chondrocytes embedded in an extracellular matrix containing glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, collagen and elastic fibers. There are three main types of cartilage - hyaline cartilage, fibrocartilage, and elastic cartilage - which are classified based on the composition of their extracellular matrix and the cells present. All cartilages lack blood vessels, lymphatics and nerves, and contain hyaluronic acid, proteoglycans, glycoproteins and collagen fibers.