Final answer:
A condyle is a large projection on a bone that facilitates bone to bone articulation, enabling the movements of joints such as the knee and the temporomandibular joint in the jaw.
Step-by-step explanation:
A condyle is a specific type of bone marking that plays a crucial role in articulation, where two bone surfaces come together (e.g., joints). Rather than being a sharp projection or a hole in a bone, a condyle is a large projection that facilitates bone to bone articulation. It often presents with a rounded or oval structure that fits into a similarly shaped hollow of an adjacent bone, allowing for movements at the joint.
For example, the lateral and medial condyles of the femur articulate with the tibia to form the knee joint, providing a surface for the movement of the joint. The condylar process of the mandible, which has an oval-shaped condyle, joins with the mandibular fossa and articular tubercle of the temporal bone, forming the temporomandibular joint. This anatomy permits the opening and closing of the mouth.