It turns out the human ear got off to a fishy start. Literally. A fascinating new study reveals that the mammalian outer ear has its evolutionary roots in the gills of ancient fish. This surprising ...

The species are all modern bony fishes, suggesting that elastic cartilage is a general feature in this group, according to the study, which was published Jan. 9 in the journal Nature.

Elastic cartilage, which is in the outer ear and larynx, provides shape and elasticity. Fibrocartilage, tough and strong, is in joint capsules, ligaments and the spine’s invertebral discs.

An additional surprise was that the elastic cartilage of gills may have arisen much earlier than previously thought. Older reports had characterized cartilage-like tissue in the gills and tentacles of ...

Scientists at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine have created a hybrid 3D printer that’s able to manufacture implantable cartilage for regenerative use in patients.

Cartilage made easy with novel hybrid printer Date: November 22, 2012 Source: Institute of Physics (IOP) Summary: The printing of three-dimensional tissue has taken a major step forward with the ...