Amphiarthrosis

Amphiarthrosis
Diagrammatic section of a symphysis.
Identifiers
TA98A03.0.00.052
TA21551
FMA76693
Anatomical terminology

Amphiarthrosis is a type of continuous, slightly movable joint.[1] Most amphiarthroses are held together by cartilage, as a result of which limited movements between the bones is made possible. An example is the joints of the vertebral column only allow for small movements between adjacent vertebrae, but when added together, these movements provide the flexibility that allows the body to twist, or bend to the front, back, or side.[2]

Types

In amphiarthroses, the contiguous bony surfaces can be:

  • A symphysis: connected by broad flattened disks of fibrocartilage, of a more or less complex structure, which adhere to the ends of each bone, as in the articulations between the bodies of the vertebrae or the inferior articulation of the two hip bones (aka the pubic symphysis). The strength of the pubic symphysis is important in conferring weight-bearing stability to the pelvis.
  • An interosseous membrane - the sheet of connective tissue joining neighboring bones (e.g. tibia and fibula).[3]

References

Public domain This article incorporates text in the public domain from page 285 of the 20th edition of Gray's Anatomy (1918)

  1. ^ "Module - Introduction to Joints". University of Michigan Medical School. Archived from the original on 17 January 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-29.
  2. ^  This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license. Betts, J Gordon; Desaix, Peter; Johnson, Eddie; Johnson, Jody E; Korol, Oksana; Kruse, Dean; Poe, Brandon; Wise, James; Womble, Mark D; Young, Kelly A (May 14, 2023). Anatomy & Physiology. Houston: OpenStax CNX. 9.0 Joints: Introduction. ISBN 978-1-947172-04-3.
  3. ^ Principles of Anatomy & Physiology, 12th Edition, Tortora & Derrickson, Pub: Wiley & Sons



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