cartilage
n. uncountablen. the strong, flexible tissue in your body that protects your joints. It is softer than bone and is found in places like your nose, ears, and knees.
n. a tough, elastic, and flexible connective tissue found in various parts of the body, including the joints, outer ear, and larynx.
The athlete had surgery to repair the torn cartilage in his knee.
As people age, the cartilage between their vertebrae can thin, leading to back pain and reduced flexibility.
Unlike bone, cartilage lacks a direct blood supply, which means it heals much more slowly when damaged by injury or chronic wear and tear.
Borrowed from French cartilage, from Latin cartilāgō. Partially displaced native gristle, from Old English gristel.
Usually uncountable when referring to the tissue type; can be countable when referring to specific anatomical structures.