cartilage
Flexible skeletal tissue
Cartilage is the firm, flexible connective tissue found throughout the body—in joints, the ear, the nose, between vertebrae.
It provides structure and cushioning without the rigidity of bone.
Sharks have skeletons made entirely of cartilage.
In meat, cartilage is the gristle you might cut around or chew through.
Tough connective tissue
- chewyResisting easy biting
- toughDurable and strong
- gelatinousViscous and semisolid
- collagenStructural body protein
texture · connective · fibrous · meat · offal · stewing · braising · tendon
Glassy, translucent substance
- elasticAble to stretch, rebounds
- fibrocartilageDense, collagen-rich connective tissue
- meniscusCurved liquid surface
- tracheaRespiratory airway tube
larynx · bronchi · ear · nose · ribcage · epiglottis · intervertebral · auricular
Cell producing cartilage matrix
- collagenStructural body protein
- elastinProtein enabling tissue recoil
- lacunaAbsent piece in sequence
- chondroitinCartilage-building molecule
Able to bend freely
- resilientAble to recover quickly
- elasticAble to stretch, rebounds
- springyAble to rebound
- toughDurable and strong
pliable · smooth · cushioning · compressible · durable · frictionless · weight-bearing · supportive
Internal supportive framework
- raysLines from a source
- skatesWheeled or bladed footwear
- hammerheadShark with splayed head
- jawBone holding teeth
Inflamed joint disease
- osteoarthritisCartilage breakdown in joints
- rheumatoidImmune-mediated joint inflammation
- degenerationProgressive loss of function
- inflammationProtective tissue response
microfracture · transplant · regeneration · repair · deterioration · wear · injury · surgery
Conversion to bone tissue
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
- fetalOf the unborn
- skeletalOf or like bones
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
gristle
Tough connective tissue
- chewyResisting easy biting
- toughDurable and strong
- gelatinousViscous and semisolid
collagen · texture · connective · fibrous · meat · offal · stewing · braising · tendon · stock
hyaline
Glassy, translucent substance
- elasticAble to stretch, rebounds
- fibrocartilageDense, collagen-rich connective tissue
- meniscusCurved liquid surface
trachea · larynx · bronchi · ear · nose · ribcage · epiglottis · intervertebral · auricular · costal
chondrocyte
Cell producing cartilage matrix
flexible
Able to bend freely
tough · pliable · smooth · cushioning · compressible · durable · frictionless · weight-bearing · supportive · firm
skeleton
Internal supportive framework
- raysLines from a source
- skatesWheeled or bladed footwear
- hammerheadShark with splayed head
jaw · lightweight · flexible · marine
arthritis
Inflamed joint disease
- osteoarthritisCartilage breakdown in joints
- rheumatoidImmune-mediated joint inflammation
- degenerationProgressive loss of function
inflammation · microfracture · transplant · regeneration · repair · deterioration · wear · injury · surgery · biopsy
ossification
Conversion to bone tissue
- calcificationMineral hardening of tissue
- fetalOf the unborn
- skeletalOf or like bones
- Nosenose, nostril, nostrils, nares, nasal
- earsearlobe, ear, ears, eardrum, ear canal
- tissuesadipose, neural tissue, cardiac tissue, fibrous tissue, bone
- orthopedicsorthopedic surgeon, orthopedic surgery, bone fracture, joint replacement, hip replacement
- hard tissuesbone, skeleton, skull, teeth, enamel
- kinesiologymuscles, bones, joints, tendons, flexion
- torn cartilageRipped connective joint tissue
- cartilage piercingJewelry through firm ear tissue
- arytenoid cartilageLaryngeal structure controlling phonation
- cartilage damageHarm to rubbery connective tissue
- knee cartilageRubbery joint tissue
- cartilage injuriesHarm to flexible connective tissue