What are menisci articular discs

The articular disk(meniscus) is a thin, oval plate of fibrocartilage present in several joints which separates synovial cavities. This separation of the cavity space allows for separate movements to occur in each space.

Where are menisci articular discs?

Disks are found in the temporomandibular joint of the lower jaw, the sternoclavicular (breastbone and collarbone) joint, and the ulnocarpal (inner forearm bone and wrist) joint. A pair of menisci is found in each knee joint, one between each femoral condyle and its female tibial counterpart.

What is the purpose of articular disc?

The cartilaginous articular disc is situated between the condyle and the fossa and acts as a cushion that absorbs stress and allows the condyle to move easily when the mouth opens and closes.

What is the difference between articular disc and meniscus?

A meniscus is a crescent-shaped fibrocartilaginous anatomical structure that, in contrast to an articular disc, only partly divides a joint cavity. In humans they are present in the knee, wrist, acromioclavicular, sternoclavicular, and temporomandibular joints; in other animals they may be present in other joints.

What is the function of the menisci of the knees joint?

The menisci of the knee joint are crescent-shaped wedges of fibrocartilage that provide increased stability to the femorotibial articulation, distribute axial load, absorb shock, and provide lubrication to the knee joint.

What are menisci quizlet?

menisci (articular discs) pads of fibrocartilage that lie between the articular surfaces of the bones and are attached to the fibrous capsule; usually subdivide the synovial cavity; allow differently shaped bones to fit together, maintain stability.

What is the articular disc composed of?

The articular disc of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is composed of fibrocartilage, and the extracellular matrix of this disc is composed mainly of collagen, glycosaminoglycan and proteoglycans.

What is the articular cartilage of the knee?

Articular cartilage is the dense, fibrous cartilage cap that covers the ends of bones within the joint. In the knee, articular cartilage covers the lower end of the femur (thigh bone), the upper end of the tibia (shin bone), and the undersurface of the patella (knee cap).

Do all synovial joints have articular discs?

Many, but not all, synovial joints also contain additional structures: Articular discs or menisci – the fibrocartilage pads between opposing surfaces in a joint. Articular fat pads – adipose tissue pads that protect the articular cartilage, as seen in the infrapatellar fat pad in the knee.

Is there articular cartilage under the meniscus?

The menisci (plural of meniscus) are thick rubbery pads of cartilage tissue. They are C-shaped and become thinner towards the middle of the joint. The meniscal cartilages sit on top of, and are in addition to, the usual thin layer of articular cartilage which covers the top of the tibia.

Article first time published on

Which muscles attaches to the articular disc?

The articular disk is attached superiorly and inferiorly to the capsular ligament, which covers the entire TMJ. Anteriorly, the disk is attached to the superior lateral pterygoid muscle fibers, a part of one of the main masticatory muscles (Figure 3).

What is articular disc in TMJ?

Articular disc – The articular disc is a fibrous extension of the capsule that runs between the two articular surfaces of the temporomandibular joint. The disc articulates with the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone above and the condyle of the mandible below.

What does articular cartilage look like?

Articular cartilage is the smooth, white tissue that covers the ends of bones where they come together to form joints. Healthy cartilage in our joints makes it easier to move. It allows the bones to glide over each other with very little friction.

Which joints have menisci?

when incomplete they are called menisci. Disks are found in the temporomandibular joint of the lower jaw, the sternoclavicular (breastbone and collarbone) joint, and the ulnocarpal (inner forearm bone and wrist) joint. A pair of menisci is found in each knee joint, one between each femoral condyle and its female…

What is articular capsule?

In anatomy, a joint capsule or articular capsule is an envelope surrounding a synovial joint. Each joint capsule has two parts: an outer fibrous layer or membrane, and an inner synovial layer or membrane.

Does articular cartilage produce synovial fluid?

The fluid in articular cartilage effectively serves as a synovial fluid reserve. During movement, the synovial fluid held in the cartilage is squeezed out mechanically to maintain a layer of fluid on the cartilage surface (so-called weeping lubrication).

What is the shape of articular disc?

The articular disk of the temporomandibular joint is a thin, oval plate made of non-vascular fibrous connective tissue, which is located between the mandible’s condyloid process and the cranium’s mandibular fossa.

Is articular disc avascular?

In young puppies, the degree of vascular penetration into the disc is quite extensive, while in adult animals it ranges from 15 to 25% of the discal width; the considerably larger central area of the articular disc is thus avascular.

What are menisci tendon sheaths quizlet?

What are menisci (articular discs)? small sacs containing synovial fluid. cavities lined with cartilage. tendon sheaths. wedges of fibrocartilage that partially or completely divide the synovial cavity.

What is the function of the menisci quizlet?

It is on the medial (inner) side of the knee joint in humans and other primates. Its primary function is to resist valgus forces on the knee.

What type of synovial joint is carpal carpal?

The other 4 carpometacarpal joints are plane type synovial joints, formed by the articulations between metacarpals 2 through 5 and the distal row of the carpal bones..

What is ellipsoid joint?

Definition. A synovial joint in which an oval-shaped process of one bone fits into an elongated or ellipsoidal cavity of the other, allowing movements such as flexion, extension, abduction and adduction.

What happens when articular cartilage is damaged?

Once damaged, articular cartilage will not heal on its own. And over time, the cartilage breaks down and the underlying bone reacts. As the bone stiffens and develops bone spurs (osteophytes), the joints become inflamed and swollen, which damages the cartilage even more, leading to pain, swelling or loss of motion.

How is an articular cartilage injury diagnosed?

Injuries to the articular cartilage are difficult to diagnose, and evaluation with MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or arthroscopy may be necessary. Plain X-rays are not usually good in diagnosing articular cartilage problems but are usually taken to rule out other abnormalities.

Can you live without an articular cartilage?

If there was no articular cartilage the bone surfaces would rapidly wear away due the friction that occurs when bone rubs against bone. Articular cartilage is self-lubricating because of its high fluid content which gives it the lowest coefficient of friction of any natural or man-made material.

How is articular cartilage damage treated?

Surgery is often the best treatment option for damaged articular cartilage since it does not heal well on its own. Some surgeries aim to relieve symptoms, while other surgical procedures are intended to repair and restore damaged articular cartilage.

What is Semilunar cartilage?

1. semilunar cartilage – (anatomy) a disk of cartilage that serves as a cushion between the ends of bones that meet at a joint. meniscus. cartilage, gristle – tough elastic tissue; mostly converted to bone in adults. anatomy, general anatomy – the branch of morphology that deals with the structure of animals.

How can you tell the difference between a meniscus tear and arthritis?

The biggest difference between arthritis and a torn meniscus is whether the pain developed over time or following an injury. If your knee pain increases gradually and cannot be placed back to a specific injury you may have arthritis. If your knee pain arose suddenly, you may have a meniscus tear.

What muscle attaches to the articular disc of the TMJ?

The masseter muscle with its perimysium has direct contact with the articular disc on the front edge. It originates from the zygomatic arch with several muscular layers and inserts on the branch of the mandible (lateral surface) and the coronoid process (lateral surface).

Does sternoclavicular joint have articular disc?

The articular disc of the sternoclavicular joint is flat and nearly circular, interposed between the articulating surfaces of the sternum and clavicle.

What is the articular tubercle of temporal bone?

The articular tubercle (eminentia articularis) is a bony eminence on the temporal bone in the skull. It is a rounded eminence of the anterior root of the posterior end of the outer surface of the squama temporalis.