Cartilage is one of the types of connective tissue in your body. It consists of cells called chondrocytes mixed with collagen and sometimes elastin fibers meshed into a matrix. ... Elastic cartilage contains elastin fibers, making it more flexible than other types of cartilage.

Why is cartilage strong and flexible?

The principal protein is elastin. Elastic cartilage is histologically similar to hyaline cartilage but contains many yellow elastic fibers lying in a solid matrix. These fibers form bundles that appear dark under a microscope. They give elastic cartilage great flexibility so it can withstand repeated bending.

What cartilage is flexible?

Elastic cartilage is more flexible that hyaline cartilage and is present in the ear, larynx and epiglottis.