Car″ti‐lage (?), n. [L. cartilago; cf. F. cartilage.] (Anat.) A translucent, elastic tissue; gristle.
☞ Cartilage contains no vessels, and consists of a homogeneous, intercellular matrix, in which there are numerous minute cavities, or capsules, containing protoplasmic cells, the cartilage corpuscul. See Illust under Duplication.
Articular cartilage, cartilage that lines the joints. — Cartilage bone(Anat.), any bone formed by the ossification of cartilage. — Costal cartilage, cartilage joining a rib with he sternum. See Illust. of Thorax.