Difference Between Condyle and Epicondyle

Main Difference – Condyle vs Epicondyle

Bones play a critical role in providing support and aiding the movement of animals. Among the different types of bone in the body, long bones such as femur, tibia, ulna, and humerus are especially involved in the movement of the body. Some surfaces of the long bones are soft and the other surfaces can be rough. Some surfaces may contain hills and valleys. Condyle and epicondyle occur at the end of the long bones. The condyle is more prominent than the epicondyle. The condyle is smooth and round whereas epicondyle is rough. Epicondyle is a projection on the condyle. The main difference between condyle and epicondyle is that condyle forms an articulation with another bone. whereas epicondyle provides sites for the attachment of muscles.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Condyle
      – Definition, Anatomy, Function
2. What is Epicondyle
      – Definition, Anatomy, Function
3. What are the Similarities Between Condyle and Epicondyle
      – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Condyle and Epicondyle
      – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms: Condyle, Epicondyle, Femur, Humerus, Mandible, Ligaments, Long Bones, Tendon, Tibia

What is Condyle

Condyle refers to a rounded protuberance at the end of a bone, which articulates the bone with another bone. Therefore, condyle is considered as a part of a joint. Femur refers to the thigh bone. On the femur, two types of condyles occur in the knee joint: medial and lateral condyle. Medial condyle is much larger and bears more weight. Lateral condyle is broader than medial condyle of the femur. Tibia refers to the shin bone. It also contains both medial and lateral condyles. The medial and lateral condyle of the tibia are shown in figure 1.

Figure 1: Medial and Lateral Tibia

Humerus refers to the bone in the upper arm. The condyle of the humerus occurs in the elbow joint. Mandible, which is the jawbone, also contains a condyle in the temporomandibular joint. Occipital bone occurs at the lower-back area of the skull. The condyles of the occipital bone occur in the atlanto-occipital joint.

What is Epicondyle

Epicondyle refers to a protuberance on the condyle of a long bone. At the epicondyle, tendons and ligaments bind to the bone. Larger skeletal muscles attach to the bones via a tendon. Ligaments connect bones to other bones. Both medial and lateral epicondyles can be identified in femur and humerus. The medial and the lateral epicondyles at the bottom of the humerus are shown in figure 2.

Difference Between Condyle and Epicondyle

Figure 2: Medial and Lateral Epicondyles of the Humerus

Any disturbance to an epicondyle may cause pain. It may also lead to the loss of function of the muscles and the ligaments, which are attached to the epicondyle.

Similarities Between Condyle and Epicondyle

Both condyle and epicondyle occur at the end of the long bones.
Both condyle and epicondyle provide structural support to the animal body.

Definition

Condyle: Condyle refers to a rounded protuberance at the end of a bone, forming an articulation with another bone.

Epicondyle: Epicondyle refers to a protuberance on the condyle of a long bone.

Size

Condyle: Condyle is a large structure at the end of the long bones.

Epicondyle: Epicondyle is a small structure on top of the condyle.

Texture

Condyle: Condyle is a smooth, rounded structure.

Epicondyle: Epicondyle is a rough projection.

Role

Condyle: Condyle forms an articulation with another bone.

Epicondyle: Epicondyle provides sites for the attachment of muscles.

Examples

Condyle: Medial and lateral condyle are examples of condyle.

Epicondyle: Medial and lateral condyle of the humerus and femur are examples of epicondyle.

Conclusion

Condyle and epicondyle are two structures of the long bones in animals. The condyle is a large, rounded structure, which articulates the bone to another bone. Epicondyle is a protuberance on the condyle, which provides sites for the attachment of the muscles to the bone. The main difference between condyle and epicondyle is the structure and the function of each structure in the animal body.

Reference:

1. “Condyle (Anatomy).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 6 Oct. 2017, Available here.
2. “Epicondyle: Definition & Fracture.” Study.com, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Gray257” By Henry Vandyke Carter – Henry Gray (1918) Anatomy of the Human Body (See “Book” section below)Bartleby.com: Gray’s Anatomy, Plate 257 (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “HumerusFront” By BDB – (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia