A condyle (;OED 2nd edition, 1989.Entry "condyle" in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. , from ; κόνδυλος knuckle) is the round prominence at the end of a bone, most often part of a synovial joint – an encapsulated articulation with another bone. It is one of the markings or features of bones, and can refer to: On the femur, in the knee joint: Medial condyle Lateral condyle On the tibia, in the knee joint: Medial condyle Lateral condyle On the humerus, in the elbow joint: Condyle of humerus (Condylus humeri) On the mandible, in the temporomandibular joint: Mandibular condyle On the occipital bone, in the atlanto-occipital joint: Occipital condyles
Although not generally termed condyles, the trochlea and capitulum of the humerus act as condyles in the elbow, and the femur head acts as a condyle in the hip joint.
Condyle may also be used to describe an intrusion of the endocarp into the seed cavity of flowering plants like Abuta.
References