Unikondyläre

Unikondyläre is a term used in anatomy to describe a joint that features a single articular condyle on one bone interacting with a corresponding surface on another bone. The concept is used to distinguish such joints from bicondylar joints, which involve two condyles on one bone engaging with two corresponding surfaces. In a unikondylär joint, movement is often constrained and may resemble a hinge action with a primary axis of rotation, though the exact kinematics depend on the specific joint and species.

Etymology and usage: The word combines uni- meaning one, condyl- meaning condyle, and the Swedish adjective suffix -är, forming an adjective that describes the single-condyle condition. In English-language literature the term unicondylar is commonly used, especially in discussions of comparative anatomy and orthopedic prosthetics.

Anatomical context and examples: Unikondylär configurations occur in certain comparative-anatomy descriptions and in veterinary contexts. In medicine, the concept is relevant to prosthetic design, most notably unicondylar (unicondylar) knee arthroplasty, where only one compartment of the knee is replaced to preserve the remaining joint structures. These applications reflect the functional idea of a single-condyle articulation within a larger joint system.

See also: joint, hinge joint, condyle, bicondylar joint, unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

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