<P> Cartilage is a resilient and smooth elastic tissue , a rubber - like padding that covers and protects the ends of long bones at the joints , and is a structural component of the rib cage , the ear , the nose , the bronchial tubes , the intervertebral discs , and many other body components . It is not as hard and rigid as bone , but it is much stiffer and much less flexible than muscle . </P>
where is each type of cartilage located in the body
rib cage ear nose bronchial tubes intervertebral discs many other body components