Question #271
What type of joint is the pubic symphysis?
Joints can occur between any two skeletal structures and can be classified based on their structure:
- Fibrous (syndesmosis): fibrous tissue connects the two skeletal components
- Primary cartilaginous (synchondrosis): hyaline cartilage connects the two skeletal components
- Secondary cartilaginous: hyaline cartilage lines the two skeletal components, between this is fibrocartilage
- Synovial: hyaline cartilage lines the two skeletal components, surrounding the joint is a synovial membrane which is supported externally by a fibrous capsule and often ligaments, internally the space between the two joint surfaces is filled with synovial fluid
- Atypical synovial: as a synovial joint but the joint surfaces are lined with fibrocartilage rather than hyaline cartilage
The following is an abbreviated list of examples of different joint types:
- Fibrous
- Skull sutures
- Distal/inferior tibiofibular
- Radio-ulnar interosseous membrane
- Posterior part of sacroiliac joint (anterior is synovial)
- Primary cartilaginous
- Costochondral
- 1st sternocostal
- Epiphyseal plate
- Secondary cartilaginous
- Intervertebral discs
- Pubic symphysis
- Manubriosternal
- Synovial
- Condyloid
- Atlanto-occipital
- Metatarsophalangeal/metacarpophalangeal
- Radiocarpal
- Hinge
- Elbow
- Knee
- Interphalangeal
- Temporomandibular (atypical)
- Pivot
- Superior and inferior radioulnar
- Atlanto-axial
- Ball and socket
- Saddle (Sellar)
- Sternoclavicular (atypical, functions as ball and socket)
- 1st carpometacarpal
- Plane
- Proximal tibiofibular
- Intertarsal, intercarpal
- Tarsometatarsal, 2nd-5th carpometacarpal
- Intermetatarsal, intermetacarpal
- Facet joints (zygapophysial)
- Costovertebral (head of rib and costotransverse)
- Interchondral
- 2nd – 7th sternochondral (atypical)
- Acromioclavicular (atypical)
- Intermetacarpal