There are three different types of cartilage. Elastic cartilage is mainly densely packed cells to give it the kind of springiness found in the ear. Fibrocartilage is tough and contains many more collagen fibers. For example, the intervertebral disc of the spine has a thick circle of fibro-cartilage around the softer center of dense connective tissue, which is know as the nucleus pulposus. The third type is hard hyaline cartilage. Hyaline cartilage is found at the bone ends, as well is in the nose. It is made of dense collagen fibers.

Elastic cartilage is found few places in the body. According to Clayman, elastic cartilage is the semiflexible, elastic structure that allows for vibration in the epiglottis and the cartilages of the larynx that anchor the vocal chords. One of these places is the epiglottis. The epiglottis is

Epiglottitis is a life threatening disease. It begins with a high fever and very sore throat. Respiratory distress increases rapidly as the epiglottis swells. Swallowing problems are associated with drooling and the patient sits up leaning slightly forward and looking very anxious. Spasms may cause the airway to close abruptly and death follows within minutes. Because of this, no attempts should be made to look in the mouth if epiglottitis is suspected. Immediate emergency medical help is imperative. Epiglottitis is always a medical emergency.

The larynx contains the vocal cords, which vibrate and make sound when air is directed against them. The sound echoes through the pharynx, mouth, and nose to make a person's voice. The muscles in the pharynx, face, tongue, and lips help people form words with sounds to make them understandable.

The larynx is a short passageway shaped like a triangle that is just below the pharynx in the neck. The pharynx is a hollow tube about 5 inches long that starts behind the nose and goes down to the neck to become part of the esophagus, the tube that goes to the stomach. Air passes through the pharynx and then the larynx on the way to the windpipe (trachea) and into the lungs. Food passes through the pharynx on the way to the esophagus. The larynx has a small piece of tissue over it, called the epiglottis, to keep food from going into it or the air passages.

Examination of the larynx, through a laryngoscopy, may show an enlarged, reddened epiglottis. Do not attempt to examine the larynx at home, because use of the tongue blade may cause the condition to worsen. An anesthesiologist may need to examine the larynx in a person with epiglottitis, in the event insertion of a tube into the larynx becomes necessary to maintain the airway. This process is known as intubation. Hospitalization is required since this is an emergency situation. The patient is usually admitted to the intensive care unit. Humidified oxygen is given. Intubation is almost always done so breathing can be maintained. In this procedure, a tube is passed through the nose or mouth into the trachea . Mechanical ventilation usually is not required, but intravenous fluids are given to increase hydration. Antibiotics are used to treat the infection, and Corticosteroids may be used to dec

Some common words found in the essay are:
According Clayman, Cartilage Cartilage, vocal cords, cancer larynx, elastic cartilage, vocal chords, sore throat, cartilage found, connective tissue, overuse voice, epiglottitis life threatening, leaning slightly forward, slightly forward, anchor vocal chords, larynx anchor vocal, leaning slightly, cartilages larynx anchor,
Approximate Word count = 1554
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)