cartilage /kär″tilij/ [L, cartilago] , a nonvascular dense supporting connective tissue composed of chondrocytes and various ratios of fibers to ground substance. It is found chiefly in the joints, the thorax, and various rigid tubes, such as the larynx, trachea, nose, and ear. Temporary cartilage, such as sesamoid bones (knee) and those that compose most of the fetal skeleton at an early stage, is later replaced by bone. Permanent cartilage remains unossified, except in certain diseases and, sometimes, in advanced age. Kinds include elastic cartilage, hyaline cartilage, white fibrocartilage. −cartilaginous, adj.
