cartilage
/'kɑ:tilidʤ/
Definition
- Noun:
- Tough elastic tissue; mostly converted to bone in adults: Cartilage is a firm, flexible connective tissue found in various parts of the body, such as joints, the rib cage, the ear, and the nose. In adults, much of the cartilage present in infancy has been replaced by bone through a process called ossification.
Usage
- Cartilage serves as a cushion between bones in joints, reducing friction and absorbing shock.
- It provides structural support in body parts like the nose and ears without being as rigid as bone.
- The term is primarily used in anatomical, medical, and biological contexts.
Examples
- Noun:
- The surgeon repaired the torn cartilage in the athlete's knee.
- Sharks have skeletons made entirely of cartilage, not bone.
- As we age, the cartilage in our joints can wear down, causing pain.
Advanced Usage
- "Hyaline cartilage": The most common type, found on the ends of bones in joints (articular cartilage), in the nose, and in the respiratory tract.
- Hyaline cartilage provides a smooth surface for joint movement.
- "Fibrocartilage": A very tough type found in intervertebral discs and the menisci of the knee.
- The meniscus is a piece of fibrocartilage that stabilizes the knee joint.
- "Elastic cartilage": Contains elastic fibers, providing flexibility, found in the outer ear and epiglottis.
- The flexibility of your ear is due to elastic cartilage.
Variants and Related Words
- Cartilaginous (adj): Composed of or resembling cartilage.
- Sharks are cartilaginous fish.
- Chondrocyte (n): A cell that forms and maintains cartilage.
- Chondrocytes are embedded in the cartilage matrix.
Synonyms
- Gristle: (Informal) A common synonym, especially when referring to tough cartilage in meat.
- I don't like the gristle in this steak.
Related Phrases and Compounds
- Articular cartilage: The smooth, white tissue that covers the ends of bones where they come together to form joints.
- Arthritis damages the articular cartilage.
- Costal cartilage: The cartilage that connects the ribs to the sternum (breastbone).
- An injury to the costal cartilage can be very painful.
Noun
-
tough elastic tissue; mostly converted to bone in adults
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