Here's a breakdown:
* Joint: A point where two or more bones meet.
* Cartilaginous: Made of cartilage, a flexible and strong connective tissue.
* Hyaline cartilage: A type of cartilage that is smooth and glassy, found in areas like the nose, trachea, and articular surfaces of bones.
Key characteristics of synchondroses:
* Immovable or slightly movable: They provide limited movement, unlike synovial joints.
* Temporary or permanent: Some synchondroses, like those found in the developing skeleton, are temporary and eventually ossify (turn into bone). Others, like the joint between the ribs and sternum (sternocostal joint), remain cartilaginous throughout life.
Examples of synchondroses:
* Epiphyseal plates: These are growth plates found in long bones during development.
* Costochondral joints: The joints between the ribs and costal cartilages.
* Sphenooccipital synchondrosis: The joint between the sphenoid bone and the occipital bone in the skull.
In essence, a synchondrosis is a joint where two bones are connected by hyaline cartilage, providing limited movement and often playing a role in growth or structural support.