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
