What is the hallmark feature of a cartilaginous joint?

What is the hallmark feature of a cartilaginous joint?

• A. Articulating bones connected by cartilage without a joint cavity
• B. Joint cavity present between bones
• C. Bones connected by ligaments
• D. Bones separated by fibrous tissue

Answer: (A)

Cartilaginous joints are defined by bones that are joined directly by cartilage and lack a joint cavity. This means there isn’t a synovial space or fluid between the bones, which is what you’d find in a synovial joint. The cartilage connection can be hyaline cartilage (as in synchondroses) or fibrocartilage (as in symphyses), giving these joints varying degrees of mobility. Classic examples include the growth plates between long bones in children and the pubic symphysis or intervertebral discs. So, the hallmark feature is the direct cartilage connection with no joint cavity between the articulating bones.

Cartilaginous joints are defined by bones that are joined directly by cartilage and lack a joint cavity. This means there isn’t a synovial space or fluid between the bones, which is what you’d find in a synovial joint. The cartilage connection can be hyaline cartilage (as in synchondroses) or fibrocartilage (as in symphyses), giving these joints varying degrees of mobility. Classic examples include the growth plates between long bones in children and the pubic symphysis or intervertebral discs. So, the hallmark feature is the direct cartilage connection with no joint cavity between the articulating bones.