A type of connective tissue that has a firm rubbery consistency.  There are three main types: 1) Hyaline cartilage which lines bones in joints enabling them to them to move against each other. The thyroid cartilage, cricoid cartilage and most of the arytenoid cartilages also consist of hyaline cartilage. These structures become progressively ossified (change into bone) from the age of 25 years; 2) Yellow elastic fibrocartilage which is found in the small cartilages of the larynx (corniculate cartilages, cuneiform cartilages and epiglottis); 3) White fibrocartilage which is found between bones where there is a need for cushioning, but limited movement and great strength between the bones such as between the discs of the vertebrae of the spine, the ribs and sternum (breast bone).