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

Etymology

Origin of cartilage

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

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

Advanced MRI scans can catch early signs of cartilage breakdown, long before a standard X-ray would.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026

The good news is that researchers are developing therapies that do what was once thought impossible: regenerate cartilage, boost the knee’s natural ability to heal, and prevent cartilage breakdown in the first place.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026

Osteoarthritis, a joint disease causing pain, stiffness and cartilage loss, found her anyway.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026

These included fibroblasts and cells responsible for forming cartilage.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 5, 2026

But to me the hard cartilage is like eating the bones of a fish.

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline

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

For ribs 8–10, the costal cartilages are attached to the cartilage of the next higher rib.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

The skeletal system includes all of the bones, cartilages, and ligaments of the body that support and give shape to the body and body structures.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

Calcium tri-phosphate, or "bone-earth," is the chief ingredient of the bones and teeth, but is found in the cartilages and other parts of the body in smaller quantities.

From A Treatise on Physiology and Hygiene For Educational Institutions and General Readers by Joseph Chrisman Hutchison