Intervertebral discs are an example of which joint category?

• A. Fibrous joints
• B. Cartilaginous joints
• C. Synovial joints
• D. Gomphosis

Answer: (B)

Intervertebral discs form a cartilaginous joint. They connect adjacent vertebrae with a pad of fibrocartilage (the disc) that creates a joint without a joint capsule or synovial cavity. This is a secondary cartilaginous joint, also known as a symphysis, which allows only limited movement—enabling some bending and twisting while maintaining stable alignment of the spine.

This differs from fibrous joints, which are bound by dense fibrous tissue (like sutures or syndesmoses); from gomphosis, which is the tooth-socket joint anchored by fibrous tissue; and from synovial joints, which have a capsule, a synovial cavity, and articular cartilage on opposing surfaces.