cartilage

a type of firm CONNECTIVE TISSUE that is pliable and forms part of the SKELETON . There are three different kinds: hyaline cartilage, fibrocartilage and elastic cartilage. Hyaline cartilage is found at the JOINTS of movable BONES and in the TRACHEA , NOSE , BRONCHI and as costal cartilage joining the RIBS to the STERNUM , Fibrocartilage, which consists of cartilage and connective tissue, is found in the INTERVERTEBRAL DISCS of the SPINAL COLUMN and in TENDONS . Elastic cartilage is found in the external part of the EAR (pinna).