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

The 2026 study did not examine long-term cartilage deterioration, so it cannot establish whether these additional walking strategies slow osteoarthritis progression.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

For now, the research points to an intriguing possibility: the way people walk may influence not only how much their knees hurt today, but potentially how well their cartilage holds up in the years ahead.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

Still, the prospect of relieving pain while potentially slowing cartilage deterioration makes personalized walking adjustments an intriguing addition to the available treatment options.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

However, they raise the possibility that reducing mechanical stress could help preserve cartilage health over time.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 11, 2026

He ate as he made his way back to the arroyo, chewing the soft bone cartilage of pork ribs he found.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko

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

The ribs articulate posteriorly with the T1–T12 thoracic vertebrae, and most attach anteriorly via their costal cartilages to the sternum.

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

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

From Textbooks ● Jun. 19, 2013

To render this implement more nearly perfect, an extra bone is added to the nasal bone, being connected with it by strong ligaments, cartilages, and muscles, and termed the snout-bone, or spade-bone, or ploughshare.

From Sheep, Swine, and Poultry Embracing the History and Varieties of Each; The Best Modes of Breeding; Their Feeding and Management; Together with etc. by Robert Jennings

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