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what is cartilage?
Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue found in many parts of the body. It can bend a bit, but resists stretching.

Its main function is to connect bones together. It is also found in the joints, the rib cage, the ear, the nose, the throat and between the bones of the back. Another function of cartilage is to create a place on which bones can form when they are first developed. It also helps to protect the places where bones work against each other: the joints. In some fish like sharks (Chondrichthyes), cartilage forms the whole of the skeleton.

Unlike other connective tissues, cartilage does not contain blood vessels. The cells are supplied by diffusion. So, compared to other connective tissues, cartilage grows and repairs more slowly.

There are three types of cartilage:

    Hyaline - most common, found in the ribs, nose, larynx, trachea. Is a precursor of bone.
    Fibro- is found in invertebral discs, joint capsules, ligaments.
    Elastic - is found in the external ear, epiglottis and larynx.


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