Elastic cartilage

Elastic cartilage or yellow cartilage is a type of cartilage present in the outer ear, Eustachian tube and epiglottis. It contains elastic fiber networks and collagen type II fibers.[1] The principal protein is elastin.

Elastic cartilage
A cross section of mammalian elastic cartilage
Lateral side of the auricle
Details
Part ofOuter ear, Eustachian tube and epiglottis
Identifiers
LatinCartilago elastica
MeSHD051472
THH2.00.03.5.00018
Anatomical terminology

Structure

Elastic cartilage is histologically similar to hyaline cartilage but contains many yellow elastic fibers lying in a solid matrix. These fibers form bundles that appear dark under a microscope. These fibers give elastic cartilage great flexibility so that it is able to withstand repeated bending. The chondrocytes lie between the fibres. It is found in the epiglottis (part of the larynx), the pinnae (the external ear flaps of many mammals). Elastin fibers stain dark purple/black with Verhoeff's stain.

Function
  • Provide support
  • Maintain shape

References

This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 279 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. "Elastic cartilage". Medline Plus/Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Retrieved 1 March 2015.


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