The type of cartilage shown in the colour plate:

There are three types of cartilage: Hyaline—most common; matrix contains a moderate amount of collagen fibers (e.g., articular surfaces of bones) Elastic—matrix contains collagen fibers along with a large number of elastic fibers (e.g., external ear) Fibrocartilage—matrix contains a limited number of cells and ground substance amidst a substantial amount of collagen fibers (e.g., intervertebral discs).