Synchondrosis
Synchondroses (singular: synchondrosis) are primary cartilaginous joints mainly found in the developing skeleton, but a few also persist in the mature skeleton as normal structures or as variants.
Structure
Synchondroses are cartilaginous unions between bone composed entirely of hyaline cartilage. Most exist between ossification centers of developing bones, and gradually ossify.
Immature skeletal examples
- growth plates
- synchondroses related to apophyses
- synchondroses of the pelvis e.g. ischiopubic synchondrosis
- spheno-occipital synchondrosis at the skull base
- manubriosternal synchondrosis
Mature skeletal examples
-
first sternocostal joint between first rib and manubrium
- all other sternocostal joints are synovial joints
- petro-occipital synchondrosis at the skull base
Variant examples
- tarsal coalitions (cartilaginous type)
- os acromiale
Related Radiopaedia articles
Anatomy: General
- anatomic position
-
anatomic nomenclature
-
Terminologia Anatomica
- superseded nomenclature
-
Terminologia Anatomica
- anatomic variants
- regional anatomy
- systems anatomy
- labeled imaging anatomy cases
- osteology
- skeleton
- bones
- macroscopic structure
- microscopic structure
- bone growth
- fetal bone formation
- developmental ossification
- tubulation
- bones types
- nutrient foramen
- joints
- muscles
- organs
- embryology
- skin
- blood vessels
- nerves
- histology