In the past decades, significant progress has been achived in cartilage regeneration. The traditional techniques for constructing tissue engineering cartilage scaffold mainly include pore agent method (or template method), phase separation method, gas foaming method, freeze-drying method, electrospinning method, etc. Cartilage is heterogeneous, and it is difficult for traditional scaffolds to simulate the high anisotropy of cartilage. Therefore, functional regeneration of cartilage is challenging. With the progress of three-dimensional(3D) printing technology, it is possible to prepare functional bionic scaffolds with fine structure and gradient changes through co-deposition of biomaterials, cells and active biomolecules, so as to achieve functional cartilage regeneration. This article reviewed 3D printing technology of cartilage tissue engineering, and the application of 3D printing technology in cartilage regeneration at different anatomical positions (articular cartilage, auricle cartilage, nasal cartilage). In addition, the importance of preparing bionic constructs with regional structure gradient and regional composition gradient was discussed. 3D bioprinting technology, 4D printing techniques, smart biomaterials brought hope for the construction of bionic tissues and organs.

Tissue engineering; Cartilage; Three-dimensional printing; Three-dimensional biological printing; Articular cartilage; Auricular cartilage; Nasal cartilage