Studies on chondrocytes from mandibular condylar cartilage, nasal septal cartilage, and spheno-occipital synchondrosis in culture. I. Morphology, growth, glycosaminoglycan synthesis, and responsiveness to bovine parathyroid hormone (1-34).

Methods for isolating chondrocytes from the craniofacial complex and culturing them in vitro were established. Chondrocytes which were isolated by collagenase digestion from mandibular condylar cartilage, nasal septal cartilage, and spheno-occipital synchondrosis grew well in vitro. All three types of chondrocytes actively synthesized glycosaminoglycans, a differentiated phenotype of chondrocytes, and responded well to parathyroid hormone. However, some different characteristics were noted among the three types of chondrocytes in culture.