Concept:Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue that provides support and structure.
It is absent in the urinary bladder.
Explanation:The urinary bladder is a muscular, elastic sac located in the pelvis.
Its function is to store urine before it is expelled from the body.
The inner lining of the bladder consists of transitional epithelium, a tissue specialized for stretching.
Cartilage, as a connective tissue, is not needed in the bladder because the bladder's wall is designed for expansion and contraction.
In contrast, the larynx, nose, and ear contain cartilage for shape and flexibility.
For instance, the outer ear (pinna) is made of elastic cartilage, and the nasal septum contains hyaline cartilage.
The larynx has several cartilages, such as the thyroid and cricoid, which protect the vocal cords.
The ear also houses the small bones (malleus, incus, stapes), but these are ossicles (bones), not cartilage; however, the external and middle ear include cartilage.
Therefore, among the given options, only the urinary bladder lacks cartilage.
Answer:D. Urinary bladder
