cartilage

/ˈkɑrdlɪdʒ/

/ˈkɑtɪlɪdʒ/

Other forms: cartilages

Cartilage is the strong but bendable tissue found in various parts of your body, such as the joints. Your outer ear is made of cartilage, which is why you can pull on and bend it.

Whenever you run or jump, thank your cartilage. It's the strong but stretchy tissue that supports your joints so you don't just fall to the ground in a heap. Cartilage also gives your nose its shape. And when you have a cold, you can blow that nose forcefully without hurting it because your cartilage also supports your honker.

Definitions of cartilage

1. noun

   tough elastic tissue; mostly converted to bone in adults
   synonyms: gristle

   types:

   meniscus, semilunar cartilage

   (anatomy) a disk of cartilage that serves as a cushion between the ends of bones that meet at a joint

   fibrocartilage

   cartilage that is largely composed of fibers like those in ordinary connective tissue

   hyaline cartilage

   translucent cartilage that is common in joints and the respiratory passages; forms most of the fetal skeleton

   arytaenoid, arytenoid, arytenoid cartilage

   either of two small cartilages at the back of the larynx to which the vocal folds are attached

   Adam's apple, thyroid cartilage

   the largest cartilage of the larynx

   type of:

   animal tissue

   the tissue in the bodies of animals