4. Articulations/Joints Flashcards
What is a joint?
Place of contact between two or more bones (articulation)
Some joints are very mobile, others immobile
Mobility/stability relationship of joints
More planes or motion = reduced stability
How is joint stability increased?
Muscular support and ligamentous attachment
How are joints classified
By structure or function
Structural classifications of joints
Fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial
Joint that connects bones connected and made of dense regular connective tissue
Fibrous joint
Joint that connects bones by plates of cartilage
Cartilaginous joint
Articular capsule with joint cavity
Synovial joint
Types of fibrous joints
Gomphosis, sutures, and syndesmosis
Characteristics and example of gomphosis
Immobile and consist of small amounts of dense connective tissue
Ex) teeth and sockets
Characteristics and example of sutures
Immobile and consist of small amount of dense connective tissue with irregular edges
Ex) skull bones
What does irregular edges do for sutures
Increases surface area, which increases stability
Characteristics and example of syndesmosis
Slightly mobile and consists of large amounts of dense regular connective tissues
Ex) interosseous membrane of tibia-fibula and radius-ulna
Types of cartilaginous joints
Synchondrosis and symphysis
Characteristics and example of synchondrosis
Immobile and connected by hyaline cartilage
Ex) 1st rib-manubrium, epiphyseal plates
Characteristics and example of symphysis
Slightly mobile and connected by fibrocartilage
Ex) intervertebral discs, pubic symphysis
Types of synovial joints
Planar, hinge, pivot, saddle, condylar, and ball-socket
Characteristics of synovial joints
Very mobile, consists of articular capsule with joint cavity, lined by articular/hyaline cartilage, and stable due to ligaments/muscles
Components of articular capsule of synovial joints
Fibrous capsule for support
Synovial membrane that lines joint cavity and secretes synovial fluid
Joint movement that decreases angle
Flexion