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Anatomy & Physiology vocabulary · Bones and the Skeleton

Cartilage

Meaning in anatomy & physiology, with examples

/ˈkɑːrtəlɪdʒ/nounCore term

In anatomy & physiology, cartilage means: A firm but flexible connective tissue with no blood vessels. It covers the ends of bones in joints, gives shape to the nose and ears, and connects the ribs to the sternum.

In Turkish: kıkırdak

How it is used

Histology covers three main types: hyaline cartilage, elastic cartilage and fibrocartilage. Clinically, people talk about worn or damaged cartilage in the knee. Because it has no blood supply, cartilage heals slowly. Usually uncountable.

Example sentences

  1. Articular cartilage lets the ends of the bones glide smoothly over each other.

  2. The outer ear is shaped by elastic cartilage, so it bends and springs back.

Common collocations

  • articular cartilage
  • hyaline cartilage
  • costal cartilage
  • cartilage damage
  • jointA place where two or more bones meet. Some joints, like the knee, move freely; others, like those between the bones of the skull, hardly move at all.
  • boneThe hard, living tissue that forms the skeleton, and each organ made of it. Bones support the body, protect organs, store calcium and contain the marrow that makes blood cells.
  • connective tissueTissue that supports, connects and protects other tissues. Its cells are spread out in a matrix of fibers and ground substance; bone, cartilage, fat, tendons and blood are all types of it.
  • skeletonThe framework of bones and cartilage that supports the body, protects the organs and allows movement. An adult skeleton usually has 206 bones.

More terms: Bones and the Skeleton

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.