"Subchondral" is a word used to refer to the layer of bone that is right under the cartilage in our joints, particularly in relation to arthritis. Full definition
The lesions identified included subchondral bone remodeling in the fetlock and in the tarsus, remodeling of the navicular bone, focal active resorption of the coffin bone, osseous remodeling at the insertion of the suspensory ligament (Figure 3) and remodeling of the canon bone. (vetmed.ucdavis.edu)
This investigation concluded that the primary lesion occurring in osteochondrosis of dogs from the large and giant breeds is an acquired pattern of osteopenic and biomechanically weak subchondral spongiosa that can not provide adequate bony support for the articular cartilage of joints. (academic.oup.com)
Effects on osteoblasts are relevant to cartilage health as changes brought about by mediators on the bone underlying cartilage, known as subchondral bone, can lead to breakdown of cartilage. (nutramaxlabs.com)