| Bending and stretching are the hallmarks of elastic cartilage (found in pinna, or earlobes, and the epiglottis of the larynx). The elastic protein fibers mesh around chondrocytes (cartilage cells) in lacunae (little caves), so bending the tissue does not injure the cells. Like all cartilage, it is avascular, and thus tends to be formed in thin sheets to maintain diffusion for it's cells. If overstretched, elastic cartilage can tear (as is seen when an earring is pulled too violently). This is not the answer that I was looking for, however! Lets return to the original question. |