Precursor fibrocartilage chondrocytes

Progenitor or pre-differentiation state of cells destined to become fibrocartilage chondrocytes. They may be found in developing tissues or in repair contexts (e.g., meniscal healing). They express early chondrogenic markers (e.g., Sox9) but have not yet fully acquired the mature fibrocartilage-specific matrix signature (high type I collagen).