car·ti·lage   (kär'tl-ĭj)    n.  A tough, elastic, fibrous connective tissue found in various parts of the body, such as the joints, outer ear, and larynx. A major constituent of the embryonic and young vertebrate skeleton, it is converted largely to bone with maturation. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin cartilāgō, cartilāgin-.]

Cartilage

Car"ti*lage\, n. [L. cartilago; cf. F. cartilage.] (Anat.) A translucent, elastic tissue; gristle.

Note: Cartilage contains no vessels, and consists of a homogeneous, intercellular matrix, in which there are numerous minute cavities, or capsules, containing protoplasmic cells, the cartilage corpuscul. See Illust under Duplication.

Articular cartilage, cartilage that lines the joints.

Cartilage bone (Anat.), any bone formed by the ossification of cartilage.

Costal cartilage, cartilage joining a rib with he sternum. See Illust. of Thorax.

cartilage [(kahr-tl-ij)]

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.

cartilage 

Main Entry: car·ti·lage
Pronunciation: 'kärt-^&l-ij, 'kärt-lij
Function: noun
1 : a usually translucentsomewhat 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 bybone during ossification in the higher vertebrates
2 : a part or structure composed of cartilage

cartilage car·ti·lage (kär'tl-ĭj)
n.
A tough, elastic, fibrous connective tissue that is a major constituent of embryonic and young vertebrate skeletons, is converted largely to bone with maturation, and is found in various parts of the adult body, such as the joints, outer ear, and larynx.

cartilage   (kär'tl-ĭj)  Pronunciation Key  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.