OF THE FIBRO-CARTILAGINOUS TISSUE. 341 



cartilaginous texture or appearance, as is observed at the an- 

 nular ligament of the wrist, and the transverse ligament of the 

 odontoid process of the second vertebra; the pulley of the ob- 

 liquus major muscle also affords an instance of the same kind. 

 3d, Certain cartilaginous ligaments adhere by their two sur- 

 faces; the intervals between the bodies of the vertebrae and the 

 interval between the two ossa pubis, are filled up with organs 

 of this kind. Thus, according to their form and connexions, 

 there may be distinguished three kinds of cartilaginiform liga- 

 ments. 



532. These organs, although always fibrous like the liga- 

 ments, and very dense like the cartilages, present a great num- 

 ber of varieties, with reference to the consistence and homo- 

 geneousness of their tissue. The minuei, or inter-articular 

 ligaments, for instance, present very distinct fibres at their 

 circumference, and towards their centre, which is thin, an ap- 

 pearance more and more compact and homogeneous, without, 

 however, meriting, even in that place, the title of true carti- 

 lages. The cartilaginous periosteum has more resemblance to 

 these latter. In the amphiarthrodial ligaments, a very appa- 

 rent fibrous tissue exists at the exterior. In proportion as it 

 approaches the centre, it becomes converted into a kind of 

 pulp or white pap which resembles cartilage, less in its con- 

 sistence, however, than from the disappearance of the fibres 

 and its apparent horaogeneousness. 



533. There enter into the composition of the fibro-carti- 

 lages the same parts as into that of the ligamentous tissue: few 

 vessels occur in them. Their chemical composition has been 

 but little studied. They become yellow and transparent like 

 the ligaments, by desiccation. Decoction acts on them in the 

 same manner as on these latter; they are entirely melted by it 

 into a jelly, so that they do not, in this respect, participate of 

 the nature of the cartilaginous tissue. 



534. Their physical properties are similar to those of the 

 ligaments and cartilages. Their tenacity or force of cohesion, 

 which is very great, and even exceeds that of the bones, ap- 

 proaches them to the ligamentous tissue. On the other hand, 

 they are very elastic, and quickly return on themselves when 



