These are fixed joints where bones are united by a layer of white fibrous tissue of varying thickness.

A tiny amount of movement is permitted at sutures, which contributes to the compliance and elasticity of the skull.

The relative positions of the bones continue to change during the life of the adult (though less rapidly), which can provide useful information in forensics and archaeology.

A syndesmosis is a slightly mobile[4] fibrous joint in which bones such as the tibia and fibula are joined together by connective tissue.

[5] Syndesmosis sprains have received increasing recognition during recent years because of a heightened awareness of the mechanism, symptoms, and signs of injury.

Patients report pain in varying degrees over the anterior and often posterior distal fibular joint.

The tightrope fixation with elastic fiberwire suture on the other hand allows physiologic motion of the ankle and may be permanent.

The motion of a gomphosis is minimal, though considerable movement can be achieved over time—the basis of using braces to realign teeth.

It has been suggested that this permanent soft-tissue attachment was a critical requisite in the evolution of the mammalian (synapsid) tusk.