<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> <P> Because of its rigidity, cartilage often serves the purpose of holding tubes open in the body . Examples include the rings of the trachea, such as the cricoid cartilage and carina . </P>

Where is each type of cartilage located in the body