cartilage

car·ti·lage

noun \ˈkär-tə-lij, ˈkärt-lij\

Definition of CARTILAGE

1

: a usually translucent somewhat elastic tissue that composes most of the skeleton of vertebrate embryos and except for a small number of structures (as some joints, respiratory passages, and the external ear) is replaced by bone during ossification in the higher vertebrates

2

: a part or structure composed of cartilage

Examples of CARTILAGE

1. She fell and damaged some cartilage in her knee.

Origin of CARTILAGE

Middle English, from Latin cartilagin-, cartilago

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

car·ti·lage

noun \ˈkärt-^əl-ij, ˈkärt-lij\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of CARTILAGE

1

: a usually translucent somewhat elastic tissue that composes most of the skeleton of vertebrate embryos and except for a small number of structures (as some joints, respiratory passages, and the external ear) is replaced by bone during ossification in the higher vertebrates

2

: a part or structure composed of cartilage

cartilage

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Connective tissue in parts of the human skeleton. A network of collagen fibres in a firm, gelatinous base, it contains no blood vessels or nerves. Different types of cartilage are found at the ends of some bones and in nasal and respiratory structures; in the spinal disks; and in the ear and epiglottis (back of the throat). Most of the skeleton of an embryo is made of cartilage, which is later replaced by bone.