cartilage

car·ti·lage

noun \ˈkär-tə-lij, ˈkärt-lij\

Definition of CARTILAGE

1

: a usually translucent somewhat 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 by bone during ossification in the higher vertebrates

2

: a part or structure composed of cartilage

Examples of CARTILAGE

1. She fell and damaged some cartilage in her knee.

Origin of CARTILAGE

Middle English, from Latin cartilagin-, cartilago

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral