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David

Darling

cartilaginous joint

cartilaginous joint

A cartilaginous joint: the joint between two lumbar vertebral bodies.


A cartilaginous joint, also called an amphiarthrosis, is a type of joint. A primary cartilaginous joint is one in which the bones are united by a plate or bar of hyaline cartilage. Thus, the union between the epiphysis and the diaphysis of a growing bone and that between the first rib and the manubrium sterni are examples of such a joint. No movement is possible.

 

A secondary cartilaginous joint is one in which the bones are united by a plate of fibrocartilage, and the articular surfaces of the bones are covered by a thin layer of hyaline cartilage. Examples are the intervertebral joints and the symphysis pubis. The amount of movement possible is dependent on the physical qualities of the fibrocartilage.