amphiarthrosis Anat.
(ˌæmfɪɑːˈθrəʊsɪs)
[mod. f. amphi- of both kinds + arthrosis ‘articulation,’ repr. a possible Gr. *ἄρθρωσις, n. of action f. ἀρθρόειν to articulate.]
A form of jointing partaking of the characters both of diarthrosis and synarthrosis, the two bones being united by a cartilage of some elasticity, which prevents one surface sliding on the other, but admits of a certain amount of movement; as in the joints of the vertebral column, the carpus, etc.
| 1836 Todd Cycl. Anat. & Phys. I. 225/1 The amphiarthrosis possesses a manifest, although certainly a very limited degree of motion. 1874 Roosa Dis. Ear 202 The articulation between the short process of the incus and the posterior tympanic wall is an amphiarthrosis. |
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Add: Hence amphiarˈthrotic a.
| 1956 New Gould Med. Dict. (ed. 2) 61/2 Amphiarthrotic. 1960 McGraw-Hill Encycl. Sci. & Technol. VII. 314/2 In the slightly movable, or amphiarthrotic, joints the opposing bony surfaces are separated by a flattened cartilaginous disk. 1992 Ann. Zool. Fennici XXVIII. 396/2 The fossae nudatae are interpreted as grooves or channels through which the liquid synovia [sic] is introduced between the amphiarthrotic joints. |