Elastic Cartilage

Elastic Cartilage

Write a short note on the elastic cartilage.
Answer.

The elastic cartilage is also called yellow elastic cartilage.

Histological features

• It appears yellowish in fresh sections due to the presence of yellow elastic fibres.
• It contains large number of branching and anastomosing yellow elastic fibres in its ground substance. They are continuous with those of perichondrium.
• Its chondrocytes are larger, more numerous and closely packed than those of hyaline cartilage.
• The chondrocytes are seen in lacunae simply or in groups of two.
• It is covered by perichondrium.

Function

Provides not only shape and support to the organ but also elasticity/pliability.

Sites of distribution

Pinna of external ear, epiglottis, eustachian tube, etc.