A tough, elastic, fibrous connective tissue found in various parts of the body, such as the joints, outer ear, and larynx. A major constituent of the embryonic and young vertebrate skeleton, it is converted largely to bone with maturation.

• 软骨组织一种见于身体的各个部位，如关节、外耳和喉部的坚韧、有弹性、纤维状的连结性组织。是胎儿和幼年脊椎动物骨胳的主要组成部分，后来大都转变为骨头