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. Cartilaginous joints also forms the
growth regions of immature long bones and the
intervertebral discs of the
spinal column.
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Primary cartilaginous joints
Primary cartilaginous joints are known as "
synchondrosis". These bones are connected by
hyaline cartilage and sometimes occur between ossification centers. This
cartilage may ossify with age.
Some examples of primary cartilaginous joints in humans are the "growth plates" between
ossification center
An ossification center is a point where ossification of the cartilage begins. The first step in ossification is that the cartilage cells at this point enlarge and arrange themselves in rows.Gray and Spitzka (1910), page 44.
The matrix in which t ...
s in
long bones. These joints here allow for only a little movement, such as in the
spine or
ribs.
Secondary cartilaginous joints
Secondary cartilaginous joints are known as "
symphysis
A symphysis (, pl. symphyses) is a fibrocartilaginous fusion between two bones. It is a type of cartilaginous joint, specifically a secondary cartilaginous joint.
# A symphysis is an amphiarthrosis, a slightly movable joint.
# A growing togethe ...
". These include fibrocartilaginous and hyaline joints, which usually occur at the midline.
Some examples of secondary cartilaginous joints in human anatomy would be the manubriosternal joint (between the
manubrium and the
sternum
The sternum or breastbone is a long flat bone located in the central part of the chest. It connects to the ribs via cartilage and forms the front of the rib cage, thus helping to protect the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels from injury. Sha ...
),
intervertebral discs, and the
pubic symphysis
The pubic symphysis is a secondary cartilaginous joint between the left and right superior rami of the pubis of the hip bones. It is in front of and below the urinary bladder. In males, the suspensory ligament of the penis attaches to the pubi ...
.
Articulating bones at a symphysis are covered with hyaline cartilage and have a thick, fairly compressible pad of fibrocartilage between them. Cartilaginous joints allow little movement, as summarized above.
References
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Joints