Skip to main content

Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology: 11.8 Cartilaginous Joints

Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology
11.8 Cartilaginous Joints
    • Notifications
    • Privacy
  • Project HomeNatural Sciences Collection: Anatomy, Biology, and Chemistry
  • Projects
  • Learn more about Manifold

Notes

Show the following:

  • Annotations
  • Resources
Search within:

Adjust appearance:

  • font
    Font style
  • color scheme
  • Margins
table of contents
  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Table Of Contents
  5. About the Authors
  6. Acknowledgments
  7. Preface
  8. Levels of Organisation, Homeostasis and Nomenclature
    1. 1.1 Overview of Anatomy and Physiology
    2. 1.2 Structural Organisation of the Human Body
    3. 1.3 Homeostasis
    4. 1.4 Anatomical Terminology
  9. Cells and Reproduction
    1. 2.1 Synthesis of Biological Macromolecules
    2. 2.2 Carbohydrates
    3. 2.3 Lipids
    4. 2.4 Protein
    5. 2.5 Nucleic Acid
    6. 2.6 The Cell Membrane
    7. 2.7 The Cytoplasm and Cellular Organelles
    8. 2.8 The Nucleus and DNA Replication
    9. 2.9 Protein Synthesis
    10. 2.10 Cell Growth and Division
    11. 2.11 Cellular Differentiation
  10. Tissues, Organs, Systems
    1. 3.1 Types of Tissues
    2. 3.2 Epithelial Tissue
    3. 3.3 Connective Tissue Supports and Protects
    4. 3.4 Muscle Tissue and Motion
    5. 3.5 Nervous Tissue Mediates Perception and Response
    6. 3.6 Tissue Injury and Ageing
  11. Integumentary System
    1. 4.1 Layers of the Skin
    2. 4.2 Accessory Structures of the Skin
    3. 4.3 Functions of the Integumentary System
    4. 4.4 Diseases, Disorders and Injuries of the Integumentary System
  12. Blood
    1. 5.1 An Overview of Blood
    2. 5.2 Production of the Formed Elements
    3. 5.3 Erythrocytes
    4. 5.4 Leukocytes and Platelets
    5. 5.5 Haemostasis
    6. 5.6 Blood Typing
  13. Cardiovascular System
    1. 6.1 Heart Anatomy
    2. 6.2 Cardiac Muscle and Electrical Activity
    3. 6.3 Cardiac Cycle
    4. 6.4 Cardiac Physiology
    5. 6.5 Development of the Heart
    6. 6.6 Structure and Function of Blood Vessels
    7. 6.7 Blood Flow, Blood Pressure and Resistance
    8. 6.8 Capillary Exchange
    9. 6.9 Homeostatic Regulation of the Vascular System
    10. 6.10 Circulatory Pathways
    11. 6.11 Development of Blood Vessels and Foetal Circulation
  14. Lymphatic System and Immunity
    1. 7.1 Anatomy of the Lymphatic and Immune Systems
    2. 7.2 Barrier Defences and the Innate Immune Response
    3. 7.3 The Adaptive Immune Response: T Lymphocytes and their Functional Types
    4. 7.4 The Adaptive Immune Response: B-Lymhocytes and Antibodies
    5. 7.5 The Immune Response Against Pathogens
    6. 7.6 Diseases Associated with Depressed or Overactive Immune Responses
    7. 7.7 Transplantation and Cancer Immunology
  15. Respiratory System
    1. 8.1 Organs and Structures of the Respiratory System
    2. 8.2 The Lungs
    3. 8.3 The Process of Breathing
    4. 8.4 Gas Exchange
    5. 8.5 Transport of Gases
    6. 8.6 Modifications in Respiratory Functions
    7. 8.7 Embryonic Development of the Respiratory System
  16. Muscle System
    1. 9.1 Overview of Muscle Tissues
    2. 9.2 Skeletal Muscle
    3. 9.3 Muscle Fibre Contraction and Relaxation
    4. 9.4 Nervous System Control of Muscle Tension
    5. 9.5 Types of Muscle Fibres
    6. 9.6 Exercise and Muscle Performance
    7. 9.7 Cardiac Muscle Tissue
    8. 9.8 Smooth Muscle
    9. 9.9 Development and Regeneration of Muscle Tissue
  17. Skeletal System
    1. 10.1 The Functions of the Skeletal System
    2. 10.2 Bone Classification
    3. 10.3 Bone Structure
    4. 10.4 Bone Formation and Development
    5. 10.5 Fractures: Bone Repair
    6. 10.6 Exercise, Nutrition, Hormones and Bone Tissue
    7. 10.7 Calcium Homeostasis: Interactions of the Skeletal System and Other Organ Systems
    8. 10.8 Divisions of the Skeletal System
    9. 10.9 The Skull
    10. 10.10 The Vertebral Column
    11. 10.11 The Thoracic Cage
    12. 10.12 Embryonic Development of the Axial Skeleton
  18. Musculoskeletal System
    1. 11.1 The Pectoral Girdle
    2. 11.2 Bones of the Upper Limb
    3. 11.3 The Pelvic Girdle and Pelvis
    4. 11.4 Bones of the Lower Limb
    5. 11.5 Development of the Appendicular Skeleton
    6. 11.6 Classification of Joints
    7. 11.7 Fibrous Joints
    8. 11.8 Cartilaginous Joints
    9. 11.9 Synovial Joints
    10. 11.10 Types of Body Movements
    11. 11.11 Anatomy of Selected Synovial Joints
    12. 11.12 Development of Joints
  19. Digestive System
    1. 12.1 Overview of the Digestive System
    2. 12.2 Digestive System Processes and Regulation
    3. 12.3 The Mouth, Pharynx and Oesophagus
    4. 12.4 The Stomach
    5. 12.5 The Small and Large Intestines
    6. 12.6 Accessory Organs in Digestion: the Liver, Pancreas and Gallbladder
    7. 12.7 Chemical Digestion and Absorption
  20. Nervous System
    1. 13.1 Basic Structure and Function of the Nervous System
    2. 13.2 Nervous Tissue
    3. 13.3 The Function of Nervous Tissue
    4. 13.4 The Action Potential
    5. 13.5 Communication between Neurons
    6. 13.6 The Embyrologic Perspective
    7. 13.7 The Central Nervous System
    8. 13.8 Circulation and the Central Nervous System
    9. 13.9 The Peripheral Nervous System
    10. 13.10 Sensory Perception
    11. 13.11 Central Processing
    12. 13.12 Motor Responses
  21. Endocrine System
    1. 14.1 An Overview of the Endocrine System
    2. 14.2 Hormones
    3. 14.3 The Pituitary Gland and Hypothalamus
    4. 14.4 The Thyroid Gland
    5. 14.5 The Parathyroid Glands
    6. 14.6 The Adrenal Glands
    7. 14.7 The Pineal Gland
    8. 14.8 Gonadal and Placental Hormones
    9. 14.9 The Endocrine Pancreas
    10. 14.10 Organs with Secondary Endocrine Functions
    11. 14.11 Development and Ageing of the Endocrine System
  22. Reproductive System
    1. 15.1 Anatomy and Physiology of the Male Reproductive System
    2. 15.2 Anatomy and Physiology of the Female Reproductive System
    3. 15.3 Development of the Male and Female Reproductive Systems
  23. Pregnancy and Human Development
    1. 16.1 Fertilisation
    2. 16.2 Embryonic Development
    3. 16.3 Foetal Development
  24. Urinary System
    1. 17.1 Physical Characteristics of Urine
    2. 17.2 Gross Anatomy of Urine Transport
    3. 17.3 Gross Anatomy of the Kidney
    4. 17.4 Microscopic Anatomy of the Kidney
    5. 17.5 Physiology of Urine Formation
    6. 17.6 Tubular Reabsorption
    7. 17.7 Regulation of Renal Blood Flow
    8. 17.8 Endocrine Regulation of Kidney Function
    9. 17.9 Regulation of Fluid Volume and Composition
    10. 17.10 The Urinary System and Homeostasis
    11. 17.11 Body Fluids and Fluid Compartments
    12. 17.12 Water Balance
    13. 17.13 Electrolyte Balance
    14. 17.14 Acid-Base Balance
    15. 17.15 Disorders of Acid-Base Balance
  25. Appendix A: Unit Measurements and Calculations
  26. Appendix B: Chemical Abbreviations
  27. Glossary
  28. Bibliography

11.8 Cartilaginous Joints

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Describe the structural features of cartilaginous joints
  • Distinguish between a synchondrosis and symphysis
  • Give an example of each type of cartilaginous joint

As the name indicates, at a cartilaginous joint, the adjacent bones are united by cartilage, a tough but flexible type of connective tissue. These types of joints lack a joint cavity and involve bones that are joined together by either hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage (Figure 11.8.1). There are two types of cartilaginous joints. A synchondrosis is a cartilaginous joint where the bones are joined by hyaline cartilage. Also classified as a synchondrosis are places where bone is united to a cartilage structure, such as between the anterior end of a rib and the costal cartilage of the thoracic cage. The second type of cartilaginous joint is a symphysis, where the bones are joined by fibrocartilage.

Diagram of Cartilaginous joints
Figure 11.8.1. Cartilaginous joints. At cartilaginous joints, bones are united by hyaline cartilage to form a synchondrosis or by fibrocartilage to form a symphysis. (a) The hyaline cartilage of the epiphyseal plate (growth plate) forms a synchondrosis that unites the shaft (diaphysis) and end (epiphysis) of a long bone and allows the bone to grow in length. (b) The pubic portions of the right and left hip bones of the pelvis are joined together by fibrocartilage, forming the pubic symphysis.

Synchondrosis

A synchondrosis (“joined by cartilage”) is a cartilaginous joint where bones are joined together by hyaline cartilage, or where bone is united to hyaline cartilage. A synchondrosis may be temporary or permanent. A temporary synchondrosis is the epiphyseal plate (growth plate) of a growing long bone. The epiphyseal plate is the region of growing hyaline cartilage that unites the diaphysis (shaft) of the bone to the epiphysis (end of the bone). Bone lengthening involves growth of the epiphyseal plate cartilage and its replacement by bone, which adds to the diaphysis. For many years during childhood growth, the rates of cartilage growth and bone formation are equal and thus the epiphyseal plate does not change in overall thickness as the bone lengthens. During the late teens and early 20s, growth of the cartilage slows and eventually stops. The epiphyseal plate is then completely replaced by bone, and the diaphysis and epiphysis portions of the bone fuse together to form a single adult bone. This fusion of the diaphysis and epiphysis is a synostosis. Once this occurs, bone lengthening ceases. For this reason, the epiphyseal plate is a temporary synchondrosis. Because cartilage is softer than bone tissue, injury to a growing long bone can damage the epiphyseal plate cartilage, thus stopping bone growth and preventing additional bone lengthening.

Growing layers of cartilage also form synchondroses that join together the ilium, ischium, and pubic portions of the hip bone during childhood and adolescence. When body growth stops, the cartilage disappears and is replaced by bone, forming synostoses and fusing the bony components together into the single hip bone of the adult. Similarly, synostoses unite the sacral vertebrae that fuse together to form the adult sacrum.

Examples of permanent synchondroses are found in the thoracic cage. One example is the first sternocostal joint, where the first rib is anchored to the manubrium by its costal cartilage. (The articulations of the remaining costal cartilages to the sternum are all synovial joints.) Additional synchondroses are formed where the anterior end of the other 11 ribs is joined to its costal cartilage. Unlike the temporary synchondroses of the epiphyseal plate, these permanent synchondroses retain their hyaline cartilage and thus do not ossify with age. Due to the lack of movement between the bone and cartilage, both temporary and permanent synchondroses are functionally classified as a synarthrosis.

Symphysis

A cartilaginous joint where the bones are joined by fibrocartilage is called a symphysis (“growing together”). Fibrocartilage is extraordinarily strong because it contains numerous bundles of thick collagen fibres, thus giving it a much greater ability to resist pulling and bending forces when compared with hyaline cartilage. This gives symphyses the ability to strongly unite the adjacent bones but can still allow for limited movement to occur. Thus, a symphysis is functionally classified as an amphiarthrosis.

The gap separating the bones at a symphysis may be narrow or wide. Examples in which the gap between the bones is narrow include the pubic symphysis and the manubriosternal joint. At the pubic symphysis, the pubic portions of the right and left hip bones of the pelvis are joined together by fibrocartilage across a narrow gap. Similarly, at the manubriosternal joint, fibrocartilage unites the manubrium and body portions of the sternum.

The intervertebral symphysis is a wide symphysis located between the bodies of adjacent vertebrae of the vertebral column. Here a thick pad of fibrocartilage called an intervertebral disc strongly unites the adjacent vertebrae by filling the gap between them. The width of the intervertebral symphysis is important because it allows for small movements between the adjacent vertebrae. In addition, the thick intervertebral disc provides cushioning between the vertebrae, which is important when carrying heavy objects or during high-impact activities such as running or jumping.

Section Review

There are two types of cartilaginous joints. A synchondrosis is formed when the adjacent bones are united by hyaline cartilage. A temporary synchondrosis is formed by the epiphyseal plate of a growing long bone, which is lost when the epiphyseal plate ossifies as the bone reaches maturity. The synchondrosis is thus replaced by a synostosis. Permanent synchondroses that do not ossify are found at the first sternocostal joint and between the anterior ends of the bony ribs and the junction with their costal cartilage. A symphysis is where the bones are joined by fibrocartilage and the gap between the bones may be narrow or wide. A narrow symphysis is found at the manubriosternal joint and at the pubic symphysis. A wide symphysis is the intervertebral symphysis in which the bodies of adjacent vertebrae are united by an intervertebral disc.

Review Questions

An interactive H5P element has been excluded from this version of the text. You can view it online here:
https://usq.pressbooks.pub/anatomy/?p=1143#h5p-329

Critical Thinking Questions

An interactive H5P element has been excluded from this version of the text. You can view it online here:
https://usq.pressbooks.pub/anatomy/?p=1143#h5p-330

An interactive H5P element has been excluded from this version of the text. You can view it online here:
https://usq.pressbooks.pub/anatomy/?p=1143#h5p-331

Click the drop down below to review the terms learned from this chapter.

An interactive H5P element has been excluded from this version of the text. You can view it online here:
https://usq.pressbooks.pub/anatomy/?p=1143#h5p-332

Annotate

Next Chapter
11.9 Synovial Joints
PreviousNext
Anatomy and Physiology
Copyright © 2021 by University of Southern Queensland Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology by University of Southern Queensland is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.
Powered by Manifold Scholarship. Learn more at
Opens in new tab or windowmanifoldapp.org