Articular System

Question 1

Name the three types of cartilage found in the body and give an example of where each type of cartilage can be found.

Answer 1

Types of Cartilage:
1. Hyaline: most common type, covers body articular surfaces
o Model for early fetal skeleton is hyaline cartilage
o Moderate amounts of collagen

2. Elastic: flexible, forms discrete structures in external ear, auditory tube, parts of larynx
   o Contains bundles of elastic fibres
3. Fibrocartilage: forms specialised in joints (ex. Disc, meniscus, labrum) - forms accessory structures contributes to articular surfaces
   o Mix of fibrous tissue + hyaline cartilage
   o Can withstand prolonged pressure – strongest type of cartilage
   o Forms supportive structures
   o Substantial amount of collagen

Question 2

Describe the structure and function of fibrous and cartilaginous joints

Answer 2

2. Fibrous (solid, minimal movement)
   o Unite articulating bones by fibrous tissue, degree of movement depends on length of fibres
3. Cartilaginous (solid, minimal movement):
   o Unit articulating bones by hyaline or fibrocartilage
   o Provide strength and shock absorption

Question 3

Describe the general features of a synovial joint

Answer 3

1. Synovial (moveable): bones united by a joint/articular cavity; many associated structures
   o Articulating bones of synovial joints are joined by an articular capsule, spanning, and enclosing an articular cavity, it’s all capped off with a hyaline cartilage on the ends of bones that are joining in the synovial joint

Question 4

Classify synovial joints by their shape and understand the degree of movement produced at each type of synovial joint

Question 5

Give examples of each type of synovial joint

Question 6

Identify the accessory structures of a synovial joint and understand their function in joint structure and mobility

Question 7

Describe the factors that affect joint mobility and stability

Question 8

Give a brief overview of the articular system

Answer 8

• Made up of joints, associated ligaments and accessory structures
• Joint/articulation is a point of contact between two bones, bones and cartilage or between bone and teeth

Classified structurally based on:
- Presence or absence of space between articulating bones (i.e. synovial cavity)
- Type of connective tissue that binds bones together (i.e. cartilage)

Question 9

Describe cartilage

Answer 9

o The main types of connective tissue involved in the formation of these articulations/joints - Cartilage
o Resilient, semirigid connective tissue located in parts of the skeleton where more flexibility is required (e.g. costal cartilage of ribs)
o Nourished via diffusion – as no blood vessels, lymph or nerves (avascular)
o Younger people have more cartilage (endochondral ossification)
o Articular cartilage provides smooth surfaces for joints