expresses expresses deep zone articular chondrocyte 2026-02-18T11:06:13Z radial zone articular chondrocyte An articular chondrocyte located in the deep (radial) zone of articular cartilage, characterized by columnar arrangement perpendicular to the joint surface and residence within a matrix containing the highest proteoglycan concentration and large-diameter collagen fibrils oriented radially. In humans, this cell expresses collagen type X (COL10A1) and provides maximal resistance to compressive forces. It is positioned adjacent to the tidemark, where collagen fibrils extend into the calcified cartilage to anchor the articular cartilage to subchondral bone. articular chondrocyte collagen alpha-1(X) chain