What type of joint has minimal movement and includes hyaline cartilage, ligaments, and the pubic symphysis?

• A. Fibrous (synarthrodial)
• B. Cartilaginous (amphiarthrodial)
• C. Synovial (diarthrodial)
• D. Bony (synostosis)

Answer: (B)

Joints are described by how much they move and by what type of tissue connects the bones. The pubic symphysis is a cartilaginous joint that forms an amphiarthrosis—meaning it allows only slight movement. This type is characterized by cartilage bridging the bones, typically with hyaline cartilage on the joint surfaces and a fibrocartilaginous disc in between, reinforced by ligaments. That combination—cartilage-based connection with only limited movement—fits the pubic symphysis best.

Fibrous joints are usually very stiff (no movement) but connect bones with fibrous tissue, not cartilage, so they don’t describe the pubic symphysis. Synovial joints are freely movable and have a synovial capsule, which isn’t the case here. Bony synostosis is complete fusion with no movement, which also doesn’t apply. Thus, the correct type is cartilaginous (amphiarthrodial).