Cartilage

Why are we able to fold our ears?

This is because of another type of connective tissue called cartilage that is present in our ears.

• When an embryo is developing, cartilage is the precursor to bone
• Some cartilage remains without getting developed into bones , especially to cover the joints
• Blood vessels or nerves are not present in cartilage
• Cartilages, unlike bones, give elasticity to structures . This is why parts like the tip of the nose and ears have cartilage.

• The cells (called chondrocytes) are widely spaced
• The matrix is solid and is composed of proteins and sugars
• Cartilage smoothens the surface of the bone . Touch your nose tip and you will know what this means!
• It also smoothens the bone surfaces at joints 
• Cartilage is present in the nose, ear, trachea and larynx