Question

Would fibrous and cartilaginous joints be able to perform their functions if they had joint cavities? Explain.

Answer 1

Joint cavities are spaces in between the bones that make up a joint. Fibrous and cartilaginous joints naturally have cavities in them. The cavities are encapsulated by articular cartilage and synovial membrane. So, fibrous and cartilaginous joints would be able to perform their functions if they had joint cavities.

Answer 2

The joint cavities are composed of two bones covered by the hyaline cartilage. The joint cavities allow for the movement of the two articulated bones. The fibrous and the cartilaginous bones have no joint cavities as they require little to no movement. These joints are connected tightly by the cartilage, such as in the spinal column. if the joint cavities were present in these joints, then these structures will not be held tightly and hence, they could not perform their function well.

Hence, the answer is 'the fibrous and cartilaginous joints will not be able to perform their function if they had joint cavities'.