Cartilaginous joint
Encyclopedia
Cartilaginous joints are connected entirely by cartilage
(fibrocartilage
or hyaline
). Cartilaginous joints allow more movement between bones than a fibrous joint
but less than the highly mobile synovial joint
. An example would be the joint between the manubrium
and the sternum. Cartilaginous joints also forms the growth regions of immature long bones and the intervertebral disc
s of the spinal column
.
may ossify with age.
Examples in humans are the "growth plates" between ossification center
s in long bone
s. These joints here allow for only a little movement, such as in the spine or ribs.
But why is this?
Examples in human anatomy would be the manubriosternal joint (between the manubrium and the sternum), intervertebral disc
s, and the pubic symphysis
.
Articulating bones at a symphysis are covered with hyaline cartilage and have a thick, fairly compressible pad of fibrocartilage between them.
Cartilage
Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue found in many areas in the bodies of humans and other animals, including the joints between bones, the rib cage, the ear, the nose, the elbow, the knee, the ankle, the bronchial tubes and the intervertebral discs...
(fibrocartilage
Fibrocartilage
White fibrocartilage consists of a mixture of white fibrous tissue and cartilaginous tissue in various proportions. It owes its flexibility and toughness to the former of these constituents, and its elasticity to the latter...
or hyaline
Hyaline
The term hyaline denotes a substance with a glass-like appearance.-Histopathology:In histopathological medical usage, a hyaline substance appears glassy and pink after being stained with haematoxylin and eosin — usually it is an acellular, proteinaceous material...
). Cartilaginous joints allow more movement between bones than a fibrous joint
Fibrous joint
Fibrous joints are connected by dense connective tissue, consisting mainly of collagen.-Types:These joints are also called "fixed" or "immoveable" joints, because they do not move. These joints have no joint cavity and are connected via fibrous connective tissue. The skull bones are connected by...
but less than the highly mobile synovial joint
Synovial joint
A Synovial joint, also known as a diarthrosis, is the most common and most movable type of joint in the body of a mammal. As with most other joints, synovial joints achieve movement at the point of contact of the articulating bones....
. An example would be the joint between the manubrium
Manubrium
The manubrium or manubrium sterni is the broad, upper part of the sternum. Located ventrally with a quadrangular shape, wider superiorly and narrower inferiorly, it articulates with the clavicles and the first two ribs.-Borders:The superior border is the thickest and presents at its center the...
and the sternum. Cartilaginous joints also forms the growth regions of immature long bones and the intervertebral disc
Intervertebral disc
Intervertebral discs lie between adjacent vertebrae in the spine. Each disc forms a cartilaginous joint to allow slight movement of the vertebrae, and acts as a ligament to hold the vertebrae together.-Structure:...
s of the spinal column
Vertebral column
In human anatomy, the vertebral column is a column usually consisting of 24 articulating vertebrae, and 9 fused vertebrae in the sacrum and the coccyx. It is situated in the dorsal aspect of the torso, separated by intervertebral discs...
.
Primary cartilaginous joints
Known as "synchondroses". Bones are connected by hyaline cartilage and sometimes occur between ossification centers. This cartilageCartilage
Cartilage is a flexible connective tissue found in many areas in the bodies of humans and other animals, including the joints between bones, the rib cage, the ear, the nose, the elbow, the knee, the ankle, the bronchial tubes and the intervertebral discs...
may ossify with age.
Examples in humans are the "growth plates" between ossification center
Ossification center
The first step in ossification of the cartilage is that the cartilage cells, at the point where ossification is commencing and which is termed an ossification center, enlarge and arrange themselves in rows....
s in long bone
Long bone
The long bones are those that are longer than they are wide. They are one of five types of bones: long, short, flat, irregular and sesamoid. Long bones, especially the femur and tibia, are subjected to most of the load during daily activities and they are crucial for skeletal mobility. They grow...
s. These joints here allow for only a little movement, such as in the spine or ribs.
But why is this?
Secondary cartilaginous joints
Known as "symphyses". Fibrocartilaginous and hyaline joints, usually occurring in the midline.Examples in human anatomy would be the manubriosternal joint (between the manubrium and the sternum), intervertebral disc
Intervertebral disc
Intervertebral discs lie between adjacent vertebrae in the spine. Each disc forms a cartilaginous joint to allow slight movement of the vertebrae, and acts as a ligament to hold the vertebrae together.-Structure:...
s, and the pubic symphysis
Pubic symphysis
The pubic symphysis or symphysis pubis is the midline cartilaginous joint uniting the superior rami of the left and right pubic bones. It is located anterior to the urinary bladder and superior to the external genitalia; for females it is above the vulva and for males it is above the penis...
.
Articulating bones at a symphysis are covered with hyaline cartilage and have a thick, fairly compressible pad of fibrocartilage between them.