Meckel's cartilage is a type of cartilage that forms during the early development of vertebrates. It serves as a precursor to certain bones in the jaw and is primarily found in the embryos of mammals, including humans. This cartilage is named after the German anatomist Johann Friedrich Meckel, who studied its structure and function. As development progresses, Meckel's cartilage is gradually replaced by bone through a process called endochondral ossification. In humans, it contributes to the formation of the lower jawbone, known as the mandible, and parts of the middle ear. Understanding Meckel's cartilage is important for studying craniofacial development and related disorders.