[The use of joint cartilage in the anatomical classification of bones and its use in the teaching and therapeutic management of skeleton disorders].

Background: Joint and bone are visible structures when we look to alive bone. It covers extremities of long bones and faces of short bones. It is absent from shaft of long bones and from faces of plate bones.

Aim: Could introduction of joint as parameters in the staging of skeleton bones (bone with or without cartilage) improve our comprehension of skeleton system?

Methods: we reviewed 588 references during 14 years. When there is disagreement between authors, we compared data of medical literature to own data in the archives of Aziza Othmana hospital in Tunis. If disagreement is not resolved we performed an experimental study such as "shaft fractures of long bones study".

Results: A new staging, called "classification C.VO. of Carthage" helped us to better understand the anatomical architecture of limbs, its relationship with embryology, joint biomechanics, diseases and therapeutic strategies. For each group "bone with or without cartilage" we identified 11 chapters which had as common skill the concept of "vessels for shaft structures and joint cartilage for epiphysis structures".

Conclusion: This new classification provides probably there advantages: Better medical teaching and comprehension of skeleton system. Improve knowledge and comprehension of disease and its management. Creation new ways in research on alive osseous structures.