Basic Human Anatomy

4-11. THE ARTICULAR DISC

4-11. THE ARTICULAR DISC

In three of the synovial joints of the human body, a special addition is seen. This addition is known as an articular disc. The joints with articular discs are the temporomandibular joint of the lower jaw, the sternoclavicular joint (at the sternum (breastbone)), and the ulnocarpal joint of the distal end of the forearm.

a. An articular disc is a fibrocartilage plate. It is inserted between the articular surfaces of the bones of a synovial joint. In this way, it divides the synovial space into two spaces.

b. Joints having an articular disc are capable of having several different motions occurring at the same time. Mechanically, there are really two joints together here.

Primary Content Providers: The U. S. Army, The U.S. Navy
Ancillary Content and Online Version: David L. Heiserman
Publisher: SweetHaven Publishing Services