Definition of cartilage Cartilage

/kɑˈɹtʌlʌʤ/ - [kartuluj] - car•ti•lage

We found 7 definitions of cartilage from 7 different sources.

What does cartilage mean?

Noun Plural: cartilages
cartilage - tough elastic tissue; mostly converted to bone in adults
		gristle
		animal tissue the tissue in the bodies of animals
		cartilaginous structure body structure given shape by cartilage
		semilunar cartilage, meniscus (physics) the curved upper surface of a nonturbulent liquid in a vertical tube
		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
		thyroid cartilage, adam's apple the largest cartilage of the larynx

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cartilage (Noun)
A type of dense, non- vascular connective tissue, usually found at the end of joints, the rib cage, the ear, the nose, in the throat and between intervertebral disks.

cartilage
kär′ti-lāj, n. in vertebrate animals, a firm elastic substance, of a pearly whiteness, presenting to the unaided eye a uniform and homogeneous appearance: gristle.—adj. Cartilagi′nous, pertaining to or consisting of cartilage, gristly. [Fr.,—L. cartilago; cog. with crates, Gr. kartalos.]

Cartilage is the hard substance that the body uses to connect bones together. It also allows joints to move smoothly and protects against shocks to the body. It is found in the joints, the rib cage, the ear, the nose, the throat and between the bones of the back. The main purpose of cartilage is to create a place on which bones can form when they are first created. It also protects the places where bones rub against each other.

Parts.

Cartilage has cells and fibres (tiny strings) that cross over each other like fabric.