What is cartilage?
Cartilage is a smooth, tough but flexible part of the body's skeleton system. All cartilage is made of matrix, which consist of fibres made of proteins.
It is found in several parts of the body, such as the outer part (pinna) of the ear, the tip of the nose, the larynx and the wind pipe.
Cartilage is found in all movable joints where it helps to reduce friction and acts as a shock absorber.
According to their different physical properties, there are various types of cartilages like elastic cartilage, hyaline cartilage etc. Unlike bone, cartilage has no blood supply and does not repair itself when damaged. Cartilage is found in the skeleton where its toughness, smoothness and flexibility are most needed. Cartilage is composed of matrix in which fibres made of proteins called collagen are found.
