cartilage

American  

[kahr-tl-ij, kahrt-lij] / ˈkɑr tl ɪdʒ, ˈkɑrt lɪdʒ /

noun

Anatomy, Zoology.

• cartilages
  plural

1. a firm, elastic, flexible type of connective tissue of a translucent whitish or yellowish color; gristle.

2. a part or structure composed of cartilage.

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cartilage British  

/ ˈkɑːtɪlɪdʒ, ˈkɑːtlɪdʒ /

noun

1. Nontechnical name: gristle. a tough elastic tissue composing most of the embryonic skeleton of vertebrates. In the adults of higher vertebrates it is mostly converted into bone, remaining only on the articulating ends of bones, in the thorax, trachea, nose, and ears

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cartilage Scientific  

/ kär′tl-ĭj /

1. A strong, flexible connective tissue that is found in various parts of the body, including the joints, the outer ear, and the larynx. During the embryonic development of most vertebrates, the skeleton forms as cartilage before most of it hardens into bone. In cartilaginous fish, the mature fish retains a skeleton made of cartilage.

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cartilage Cultural  

1. A kind of tough but elastic connective tissue that can withstand considerable pressure. It makes up portions of the skeletal system, such as the linings of the joints, where it cushions against shock. Cartilage is also found in other body structures, such as the nose and external ear.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• cartilaginous
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• cartilages
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of cartilage

1350–1400; Middle English (< Middle French ) < Latin cartilāgō gristle

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Explanation

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cartilage cartilages

However, in rheumatoid arthritis, they can become abnormally aggressive, multiplying excessively, releasing inflammatory substances, and contributing to cartilage damage and tissue scarring.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 22, 2026

In experiments with rats, the substance reduced joint swelling, protected cartilage, and calmed harmful immune activity.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 22, 2026

They also showed encouraging signs of slower deterioration in their knee cartilage.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

Although exercise, physical therapy, weight management, and medications can help manage symptoms, there is currently no established treatment that reliably restores cartilage lost to osteoarthritis.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

Proteins also form the structural components of the cell: filaments of hair, nails, cartilage, or the matrices that trap and tether cells.

From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee

First, the tiny cartilages in the human larynx -- called the arytenoids -- that change the position of our vocal folds, have changed dramatically in whales.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 21, 2024

This ancient fish had separated, independent cartilages encasing the brain, rather than the solid bone or cartilage structure of jawless and jawed fish that followed it.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 20, 2023

Androgens produce several complications such as liver dysfunctions prostate gland enlargement, difficulty urinating, premature closure of epiphyseal cartilages, testicular atrophy, infertility, and immune system depression.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022

This consists of mesenchyme, the embryonic tissue that will become the bones, cartilages, and connective tissues of the body.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Somewhat persistent pains in the cartilages of the left lower ribs.

From New, Old, and Forgotten Remedies: Papers by Many Writers by Edward Pollock Anshutz

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