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Elastic Cartilage

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Elastic cartilage is a type of cartilage characterized by its high proportion of elastic fibers within the extracellular matrix.

Microscopic view of elastic cartilage tissue stained with Masson Trichrome. Numerous chondrocytes, the cells responsible for cartilage production and maintenance, appear embedded within roundish spaces called lacunae. The extracellular matrix surrounding the cells is stained blue, and the nuclei of the cells are visible as small, darker areas. The tissue shows the characteristic flexibility and resilience of elastic cartilage due to elastic fibers in the matrix.
Figure 1: Elastic cartilage with Masson Trichrome stain showing chondrocytes in lacunae within an extracellular matrix.

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Cells

Elastic cartilage, like other types of cartilage, contains chondrocytes. These specialized cells are responsible for producing and maintaining the extracellular matrix components. Chondrocytes in elastic cartilage are located within lacunae (small spaces) within the matrix.

Fibers

These elastic fibers, composed primarily of the protein elastin, give the tissue its characteristic flexibility and elasticity.  These fibers are fixed in the matrix, between the chondrocytes.  Elastic cartilage is essentially hyaline cartilage, just with a bunch of elastic fibers between the cells.  Elastic cartilage contains a high density of elastic fibers, which are arranged in a network-like structure throughout the matrix. Elastic fibers can be revealed with the pink stain common to H&E. However, a blackish stain often reveals them best.   No matter what the color, the elastic fibers have a scratch-like appearance between the cells.

Matrix

The matrix of elastic cartilage contains water, proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), and elastic fibers.   The elastic fibers usually occupy a lot of space between the chondrocytes. As a result, the ground substance of the matrix can’t be seen clearly. 

Functions

Elastic cartilage provides flexibility and resilience to structures within the body. It allows them to bend and deform. These structures return to their original shape without permanent distortion. Despite its flexibility, elastic cartilage also provides support to the structures it forms, helping to maintain their shape and integrity.

Histological slide of elastic cartilage, likely from the epiglottis. Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining highlights cell structures and extracellular matrix. Pink staining indicates the extracellular matrix, containing collagen fibers and elastic fibers. Round or oval chondrocytes, with distinct nuclei, occupy lightly colored lacunae. Overall composition is a dense network of stained fibers and cellular structures.
Figure 2: Elastic cartilage histology. Epiglottis tissue stained with H&E. Showing chondrocytes in lacunae.
Microscopic image showing a cross-section of the trachea. Distinctive layers include cartilage stained in blue that makes a c-shape, surrounded by connective tissue and muscle fibers that are stained in brown. The tissue appears to be dissected for pathological analysis, highlighted by the staining.
Figure 3: Trachea cross-section with epiglottis made of blue-stained hyaline cartilage.

Locations

Elastic cartilage is found in regions of the body subject to bending and deformation. Common locations include the external ear (pinna), the epiglottis in the larynx, and certain parts of the auditory (Eustachian) tube.  Grab the cartilage of your ear and twist it.  The ability to twist it comes from those elastic fibers.  The fact that it didn’t hurt when you twisted it comes from the fact that cartilage is not innervated.  It is also not vascularized, which is why piercings in the nose and ear are possible.

Easily Confused With

Transitional Epithelium  (not because they look alike, but because the names get confusing).

Figure 1: Ear pinna, aldehyde fuchsin and Masson Slide 044
Figure 2: Epiglottis, H&E, 20X (elastic cartilage) Slide 044H
Figure 3: Trachea and esophagus, Masson stain, 20X Slide 127
All by University of Michigan Histology, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 3.0.

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General Information
Adipose CT
Areolar CT
Reticular CT
Dense Regular CT
Dense Irregular CT
Elastic CT
Bone CT
Hyaline Cartilage CT
Elastic Cartilage CT
Fibrocartilage CT

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