Ciliated cell observation by SEM on the surface of human incudo-malleolar-joint articular cartilage: are they a new chondrocyte phenotype?

It is therefore possible to hypothesize that the observed ciliated cells may be a new chondrocyte phenotype with sensory function. Motile cilia confer the ability to distinguish variations in synovial fluid chemical composition and, in addition, they perhaps may also play some role in the mechanism of sound transmission.