Which term describes a joint with a ligamentous link?

Which term describes a joint with a ligamentous link?

• A. Syndesmosis
• B. Synchondrosis
• C. Synarthrosis
• D. Synostosis

Answer: (A)

A joint held together by ligaments is described as a syndesmosis. In this type, the bones are connected by a sheet or interosseous ligaments rather than cartilage or bone, allowing only limited, largely stable movement. Classic examples include the distal tibiofibular joint and the radioulnar syndesmosis, where the ligamentous connection keeps the bones close while still permitting a bit of gliding or rotation. This differs from a synchondrosis, where bones are united by hyaline cartilage and movement is highly restricted. It also differs from a synarthrosis, a broad category for immovable joints (such as skull sutures) that aren’t defined by a ligamentous connection. Finally, a synostosis describes bones that have fused into one bone with no mobility and no ligamentous link. So the term for a joint with a ligamentous link is syndesmosis.

A joint held together by ligaments is described as a syndesmosis. In this type, the bones are connected by a sheet or interosseous ligaments rather than cartilage or bone, allowing only limited, largely stable movement. Classic examples include the distal tibiofibular joint and the radioulnar syndesmosis, where the ligamentous connection keeps the bones close while still permitting a bit of gliding or rotation.

This differs from a synchondrosis, where bones are united by hyaline cartilage and movement is highly restricted. It also differs from a synarthrosis, a broad category for immovable joints (such as skull sutures) that aren’t defined by a ligamentous connection. Finally, a synostosis describes bones that have fused into one bone with no mobility and no ligamentous link. So the term for a joint with a ligamentous link is syndesmosis.