Cartilage is a type of hard, thick, slippery tissue that coats the
ends of bones where they meet with other bones to form a joint. Cartilage lines
the joint space between bones throughout the body, including the spine and the
rib cage. It acts as a protective cushion between bones to absorb the stress
applied to joints during movement.
Cartilage is made up of protein strands called collagen that form a
tough, meshlike framework. The mesh is filled with substances that hold water,
much like a sponge. When weight is placed on cartilage, water is squeezed out
of the mesh. When weight is taken off, the water returns. Cartilage does not
contain blood vessels or nerves.
| By | Healthwise Staff |
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| Primary Medical Reviewer | William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine |
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| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Freddie H. Fu, MD - Orthopedic Surgery |
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| Last Revised | April 5, 2012 |
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