elastic cartilage
Quick Summary
Elastic cartilage is a type of connective tissue distinguished by its pale yellow matrix, which contains abundant elastic fibers. This composition makes it more flexible than hyaline cartilage. In humans, elastic cartilage is primarily found in the external ear, the auditory tube of the middle ear, and the epiglottis. Like other cartilage types, it lacks blood vessels and nerves, receiving nutrients through diffusion. Cartilage, in general, forms the initial skeleton of mammalian embryos and persists in certain adult structures, providing tensile strength and flexibility.12
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