Question

Epiglottis is composed of

• A. Hyaline cartilage
• B. Calcified cartilage
• C. Both A and B
• D. Elastic cartilage

Answer 1

The correct option is D Elastic cartilage

The epiglottis is composed of elastic cartilage. Elastic cartilage is also called as yellow cartilage. It is a type of cartilage present in the outer ear, Eustachian tube and epiglottis. It contains elastic fiber networks and collagen fibers. The principal protein present in this type of cartilage is elastin. Elastic cartilage is histologically similar to hyaline cartilage but contains many yellow elastic fibers lying in a solid matrix. These fibers give elastic cartilage great flexibility so that it is able to withstand repeated bending. The chondrocytes lie between the fibers.