Final answer:
A gomphosis is a specialized fibrous joint that anchoring a tooth to its bony socket in the jaw, with the periodontal ligament providing stability. It's classified as a synarthrosis due to its immobility.
Step-by-step explanation:
A gomphosis is a specialized fibrous joint that serves as a critical part of our dental anatomy. It's this joint type that rigidly anchors the root of a tooth into its bony socket, found in either the maxillary bone (upper jaw) or the mandible bone (lower jaw). The term "gomphosis" translates roughly to "fastened with bolts," which vividly describes how the peg-and-socket joint stabilizes the teeth in the skull. The connection is reinforced by the periodontal ligament, composed of dense connective tissue that spans between the tooth root and the socket's bony walls. Because of the gomphosis joint's lack of movement, it is functionally classified as a synarthrosis, indicating its immovable nature.