4.4: Joints and Ligaments

Question 1

joint

Answer 1

Bones are joined together

Question 2

types of joints

Answer 2

• fibrous
• cartilaginous
• synovial

Question 3

Fibrous joints

Answer 3

• immovable
• those between the cranial bones

Question 4

cartilaginous joints

Answer 4

• slightly movable
• those between the vertebrae

Question 5

synovial joints

Answer 5

• most joints are freely movable
• bones are separated by a joint cavity

Question 6

ligaments

Answer 6

• composed of fibrous connective tissue
• bind the bones together

Question 7

joint capsule

Answer 7

• formed by ligaments that hold the bones in place
• lined by synovial membrane

Question 8

synovial fluid

Answer 8

• a lubricant for the joint
• produced by the synovial membrane

Question 9

different types of synovial (movable) joints

Answer 9

• hinge
• ball and socket
• saddle
• pivot

Question 10

hinge joints

Answer 10

• largely permit movement in one direction only
• knee and elbow joints

Question 11

Ball-and-socket joints

Answer 11

• allow movement in all planes and even a rotational movement
• hip (femur into the socket of the pelvis)
• shoulder joint

Question 12

saddle joint

Answer 12

• allows the thumb to freely cross over the palm

Question 13

pivot joint

Answer 13

• allows for rotational movement
• cervical spine (C1 and C2) allow rotation of the vertebrae

Question 14

sternoclavicular ligament

Answer 14

joins the sternum with the clavicle

Question 15

coracoclavicular ligament

Answer 15

joins the coracoid process of the scapula to the clavicle

Question 16

coracoacromial ligament

Answer 16

joins the coracoid process to the acromion of the scapula

Question 17

capsular ligament (articular capsule)

Answer 17

surrounds the head of the humerus and anchors it to the scapula

Question 18

coracohumeral ligament

Answer 18

connects the head of the humerus to the coracoid process of the scapula

Question 19

Posteriorly, the pelvis is held to the sacrum by:

Answer 19

• iliolumbar ligament
• anterior sacroiliac ligament
• posterior sacroiliac ligament

Question 20

ilioinguinal ligament

Answer 20

holds the ASIS of the ilium to the pubic bone

Question 21

iliofemoral ligament

Answer 21

attaches the femur to the ilium

Question 22

uterosacral ligament

Answer 22

connects the sacrum to each side of the uterus in females

Question 23

menisci

Answer 23

• crescent-shaped pieces of cartilage
• give added stability for the femur to articulate with the tibia

Question 24

bursae

Answer 24

• knee joint contains thirteen fluid-filled sacs
• ease friction between tendons, ligaments, and bones

Question 25

bursitis

Answer 25

inflammation of the bursae in a joint

Question 26

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 26

• connecting the anterior vertebral bodies

Question 27

Posterior longitudinal ligament

Answer 27

• connecting the posterior the vertebral bodies

Question 28

Interspinous ligaments

Answer 28

• connects the spinous process of two adjacent vertebrae

Question 29

Supraspinous ligament

Answer 29

• connects the posterior portion of the spinous processes

Question 30

intervertebral discs

Answer 30

• between the vertebrae
• act as a kind of padding
• prevent the vertebrae from grinding against one another
• absorb shock caused by movements: running, jumping, walking
• allows motion between the vertebrae: bend forward, backward, and from side to side without the vertebrae touching

Question 31

herniated disc

Answer 31

• disks tend to become weakened with age and may slip or even rupture
• center portion of the disc may bulge into the vertebral foramen
• pain results when the damaged disk presses against the spinal cord or spinal nerves
• the body may heal itself over time
• or the disk can be removed surgically
• Surgical procedures can fuse vertebrae together, but this limits the flexibility of the spine permanently
• Physical therapy is another option to help strengthen the muscles of the spine.
• Strengthening exercises help to support the spinal ligaments and restore spinal alignment.