cartilage (B2)

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈkɑːrtəlɪdʒ/

Definition

A flexible connective tissue found in many areas of the body, including the joints between bones, the rib cage, the ear, the nose, and the intervertebral discs.

Examples

• The doctor explained that a torn meniscus is damage to the cartilage in the knee.

• Babies are born with a lot of cartilage, which gradually hardens into bone as they grow.

• The shark's skeleton is made entirely of cartilage, not bone.

Synonyms of cartilage

Words with a similar meaning to cartilage:

• gristle
• connective tissue

Antonyms of cartilage

Words with the opposite meaning to cartilage:

• bone
• tendon
• ligament

Browse the full Anaversity dictionary