Origin: French suffix -age
Cartilage has 2 different meanings across 1 category:
A usually translucent and somewhat elastic, dense, nonvascular connective tissue found in various forms in the larynx and respiratory tract, in structures such as the external ear, and in the articulating surfaces of joints. It composes most of the skeleton of vertebrate embryos, being replaced by bone during ossification in the higher vertebrates.
"The surgeon carefully examined the patient's rib cartilage to determine if it was flexible enough for the tracheal reconstruction procedure."