Elastic cartilage
Cartilago elastica
Hyaline-like cartilage with a dense network of branching elastic fibres, giving flexibility and shape recovery; found in the auricle, external acoustic meatus, auditory tube and epiglottis.
Overview
Elastic cartilage has chondrocytes in lacunae, type II collagen, aggrecan and a perichondrium, like hyaline cartilage, but its matrix also contains abundant branching elastic fibres, especially concentrated around the lacunae. Chondrocytes tend to be more numerous and larger, often single, and the tissue is yellowish when fresh. It bends easily and springs back to its original shape, and unlike hyaline cartilage it does not calcify with age.
- Location
Auricle (pinna) and wall of the external acoustic meatus; auditory (pharyngotympanic) tube; epiglottis; corniculate and cuneiform cartilages and vocal processes of the arytenoids.
Anatomy
- Histology
Dark wavy elastic fibres (prominent with Verhoeff or orcein stains) in the matrix around densely packed lacunae; perichondrium present.
Function
- Flexible support that maintains shape after deformation.
Clinical significance
Cauliflower ear
Blunt trauma separates the perichondrium from the auricular cartilage; an untreated subperichondrial haematoma cuts off the cartilage's nutrient supply and leads to necrosis and fibrosis — a deformed "cauliflower" ear (wrestlers, boxers). Prevented by prompt drainage and compression.
Relapsing polychondritis
Autoimmune inflammation of cartilage (auricular, nasal, tracheal) — classically a red, painful auricle that spares the non-cartilaginous ear lobe.
Mnemonics
Locations
The 3 Es: Ear (auricle, external meatus), Epiglottis, Eustachian (auditory) tube.
Test yourself
The epiglottis is supported by:
- Hyaline cartilage
- Elastic cartilage
- Fibrocartilage
- Compact bone
Answer: Elastic cartilage
Elastic cartilage (rich in elastic fibres; does not calcify with age) is found in the auricle, external acoustic meatus, auditory tube and epiglottis (plus the small corniculate and cuneiform cartilages).
Compiled from standard anatomy and physiology references — see the Cells & Tissues sources. For education only; not medical advice.