An example of a secondary cartilaginous (amphiarthroses) joint is which of the following?

• A. Intervertebral discs
• B. Epiphyseal plates
• C. Sutures
• D. Knee joint

Answer: (A)

Secondary cartilaginous joints, or amphiarthroses, connect bones with fibrocartilage and permit limited movement. Between the vertebral bodies, the intervertebral disc sits as a fibrocartilaginous pad—an annulus fibrosus surrounding a nucleus pulposus—that links adjacent endplates. This arrangement provides stability and cushioning while allowing slight, controlled motion, making it a classic example of an amphiarthrosis.

Epiphyseal plates are hyaline cartilage in a primary cartilaginous joint (synchondrosis) used for growth, not amphiarthrosis. Sutures are fibrous joints with essentially no movement in adults. The knee joint is a diarthrosis (a freely movable synovial joint).