Elastic cartilage is covered by perichondrium from the outside. The perichondrium consists of 2 layers: an outer layer that is formed by connective tissue with blood vessels, and an inner (chondrogenic) layer that is constituted principally by cells (chondroblasts and their precursors or prechondroblasts). Chondrocytes are rounded or elongated, they are found in lacunae as solitary cells or in small isogenous groups #1, #2. The intercellular substance exposes an elastic fiber network.

Orcein selectively stains elastic fibers brown and violet. The fibers form a dense branched network surrounding chondrocytes #1, #2. Deep cartilage portions contain thicker fibers, which are even closer to one another.