Chapter 9

Joints

Joints

Points where bones meet

Classifications

Structurally: by their anatomy

Fibrous, cartilaginous, or synovial

Functionally: by the degree of movement they

permit

Immovable, slightly movable, and freely movable

Structural Classification

Based on what is between bones:

Space (or not)

Type of connective tissue present

Types

Fibrous joints - no cavity, just dense irregular

connective tissue
Cartilaginous joints - no cavity, bones held
together by cartilage
Synovial joints - have synovial cavity, dense
irregular tissue of articular capsule, and often
ligaments

Functional Classification

Based on degree of movement they permit

Types

Synarthrosis: immovable

Amphiarthrosis: slightly movable

Pelvis, sutures, teeth

Epiphyseal plate, tibia-fibula, vertebrae, pelvic symphysis

Diarthrosis: freely movable

Most joints of the body

All diarthrotic joints are synovial

Fibrous Joints

Suture (synarthrosis)

Joined by thin layer of dense fibrous connective

tissue
Example: between bones of skull

Syndesmosis

Greater distance between bones and greater

amount of dense irregular connective tissue
Examples

Distal tibia to distal fibula (amphiarthrosis)

Gomphosis (synarthrosis): tooth root in socket
(alveolar process) of mandible or maxilla

Fibrous Joints

Interosseous membrane (amphiarthrosis)

Has greater amount of dense irregular

connective tissue
Examples: extensive membranes between shafts
of some long bones

Radius-ulna
Tibia-fibula

Fibrous Joints

Fibrous Joints

Fibrous Joints

Cartilaginous Joints

Synchondrosis (synarthrosis)

Cartilage connects two areas of bone

Example

Epiphyseal (growth) plate connecting epiphysis and

diaphysis of long bone (synarthrosis)

Symphysis (amphiarthrosis)

Cartilage connects two bones, but a broad disc of

fibrocartilage is present also
Examples: pubic symphysis and intervertebral
discs

Cartilaginous Joints

Cartilaginous Joints

Synovial Joints: Structure

Synovial cavity: space containing fluid

Articular cartilage

Covers ends of bones, absorbs shock

Articular capsule

Inner layer: synovial membrane that secretes

synovial fluid (reduces friction, supplies nutrients)
Outer layer: dense, irregular connective tissue

Synovial Joints: Structure

In some cases synovial joints include:

Ligaments (either inside or outside of joint cavity)

Menisci (cartilage discs)
Labrum
Articular fat pads
Bursae

Sacs made of synovial membranes containing fluid

Located where friction can occur
Examples: between skin-bone, tendons-bones,
muscles-bones, ligaments-bones

Synovial Joints: Structure

Knee Joint

Knee Joint

Knee Joint

Knee Joint

Types of Movements at Synovial Joints

Gliding

Flexion

Decrease in angle between articulating bones

Extension

Flat bone surfaces moving across each other

Increase in angle between articulating bones

In anatomical position the body is in full extension

Hyperextension

Bending beyond 180o degrees, such as moving

humerus backwards behind anatomical position

Types of Movements at Synovial Joints

Types of Movements at Synovial Joints

Types of Movements at Synovial Joints

Types of Movements at Synovial Joints

Types of Movements at Synovial Joints

Types of Movements at Synovial Joints

Movements

Abduction

Adduction

Movement of bone toward midline

Circumduction

Movement of bone away from midline

Movement of distal end in a circle

Rotation

Bone revolves around its own longitudinal axis

Types of Movements at Synovial Joints

Types of Movements at Synovial Joints

Types of Movements at Synovial Joints

Types of Movements at Synovial Joints

Types of Movements at Synovial Joints

Types of Movements at Synovial Joints

Types of Movements at Synovial Joints

Special Movements

Elevation

Depression

Movement downward

Protraction

Movement upward

Movement forward

Retraction

Movement backward into anatomical position

Special Movements at Synovial Joints

Special Movements at Synovial Joints

Special Movements

Inversion

Eversion

Move soles laterally

Dorsiflexion

Move soles medially

Bend foot toward dorsum (stand on heels)

Plantar flexion

Bend foot toward plantar surface (stand on

toes)

Special Movements at Synovial Joints

Special Movements at Synovial Joints

Special Movements at Synovial Joints

Supination

Movement of forearm so palms face forward or

upward

Pronation

Movement of forearm so palms face backward or

downward

Special Movements at Synovial Joints

Six Types of Synovial Joints

Planar joints

Articulating surfaces flat or slightly curved

Examples: between carpals, tarsals, sternumclavicle, scapula-clavicle
Movements: gliding

Hinge joints (ginglymus joints)

Convex-to-concave surfaces
Examples: elbow, knee, ankle, interphalangeal
Movements: flexion (F) and extension (E) only

Types of Synovial Joints

Pivot joints (trochoid)

Rounded surface with ring formed by bone and

ligament
Examples: atlantoaxial joint (to turn head to say
no) and radius-ulna for pronation-supination
Movement: rotation (ROT)

Condyloid joints

Convex oval surface to concave oval surface

Examples: wrist, metacarpophalangeal-2 to -5
joints
Movements F, E, ABD, ADD

Types of Synovial Joints

Saddle joints

One side of saddle-shaped, other like a rider

astride it
Example: trapezium (carpal) to metacarpal-1
(thumb)
Movements: triaxial (F, E, ABD, ADD, ROT)

Ball-and-socket joints

Ball-like surface into cuplike socket surface

Example: shoulder, hip
Movements: triaxial (F, E, ABD, ADD, CIR, ROT)

Types of Synovial Joints

Types of Synovial Joints

Types of Synovial Joints

Types of Synovial Joints

Types of Synovial Joints

Types of Synovial Joints

Details of a Synovial Joint: Knee Joint

See slides 10a-d

Ligaments

Menisci (medial and lateral)

Tibial and fibular collateral ligaments

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL): 70 % of knee injuries
Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)

Fibrocartilage discs that increase stability of knee joint

Bursae

Arthroplasty
Knee replacement: total or partial

Aging of Joints

Decrease in production of synovial fluid

Thinning of articular cartilage
Ligaments shorten and lose flexibility
Influenced by genetic factors

Common Disorders of Joints

Common joint injuries

Rotator cuff injury

Separated shoulder
Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
Dislocation of the radial head
Knee injuries: swollen knee, rupture of tibial
collateral ligaments, dislocated knee

Rheumatism: rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis

Ligaments shorten and lose flexibility
Influenced by genetic factors

COVERAGE OF PRELIM EXAM

INTRODUCTION TO THE HUMAN BODY

CHEMICAL LEVEL OF ORGANIZATION
CELLULAR LEVEL OF ORGANIZATION
TISSUE LEVEL OF ORGANIZATION
INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
SKELETAL SYSTEM
AXIAL & APPENDICULAR SKELETON
JOINTS