11. 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.
