Which type of cartilage is typically found in intervertebral discs and pubic symphysis?

Which type of cartilage is typically found in intervertebral discs and pubic symphysis?

• A. Elastic cartilage
• B. Fibrocartilage
• C. Hyaline cartilage
• D. Articular cartilage

Answer: (B)

Fibrocartilage is the tough, fibrous cartilage designed to resist compression and shear, due to its dense collagen fibers. This makes it ideal for joints and spinal structures that undergo heavy loading. In the spine, the outer ring of each intervertebral disc—the annulus fibrosus—is fibrocartilage, providing strong containment for the gel-like nucleus pulposus inside and resisting twisting and bending. Similarly, the pubic symphysis has a fibrocartilaginous disc between the pubic bones to cushion the joint and maintain stability during movement. Other cartilage types serve different roles: hyaline cartilage mainly covers articular surfaces, forming smooth joints, while elastic cartilage contains elastic fibers for flexible shaping in structures like the ear. So, the cartilage type typically found in intervertebral discs and the pubic symphysis is fibrocartilage.

Fibrocartilage is the tough, fibrous cartilage designed to resist compression and shear, due to its dense collagen fibers. This makes it ideal for joints and spinal structures that undergo heavy loading. In the spine, the outer ring of each intervertebral disc—the annulus fibrosus—is fibrocartilage, providing strong containment for the gel-like nucleus pulposus inside and resisting twisting and bending. Similarly, the pubic symphysis has a fibrocartilaginous disc between the pubic bones to cushion the joint and maintain stability during movement. Other cartilage types serve different roles: hyaline cartilage mainly covers articular surfaces, forming smooth joints, while elastic cartilage contains elastic fibers for flexible shaping in structures like the ear. So, the cartilage type typically found in intervertebral discs and the pubic symphysis is fibrocartilage.