Ch. 9 Joints Flashcards
The joint between adjacent vertebrae that includes an intervertebral disc is classified as which type of joint?
A) Diarthrosis.
B) Multiaxial.
C) Amphiarthrosis.
D) Synarthrosis.
C) Amphiarthrosis.
Explanation: The intervertebral disc forms a symphysis—a cartilaginous joint joined by fibrocartilage that allows for limited movement, classifying it functionally as an amphiarthrosis.
Incorrect:
A) Diarthrosis – Refers to freely movable joints (synovial), which this is not.
B) Multiaxial – Refers to the number of movement planes in synovial joints.
D) Synarthrosis – No movement at all, which does not apply to intervertebral discs.
Which of these joints is classified as a synarthrosis?
A) The pubic symphysis.
B) The manubriosternal joint.
C) An intervertebral disc.
D) The shoulder joint.
B) The manubriosternal joint.
Explanation: This is a cartilaginous joint (usually a synchondrosis) that is immovable, fitting the functional definition of a synarthrosis.
Incorrect
A) Pubic symphysis – Slightly moveable, classified as an amphiarthrosis.
C) Intervertebral disc – Also an amphiarthrosis.
D) Shoulder joint – A freely movable synovial joint (diarthrosis).
Which of these joints is classified as a biaxial diarthrosis?
A) The metacarpophalangeal joint.
B) The hip joint.
C) The elbow joint.
D) The pubic symphysis.
A) The metacarpophalangeal joint.
Explanation: This joint allows movement in two planes (flexion/extension and abduction/adduction), making it a biaxial diarthrosis.
B) Hip joint – A multiaxial ball-and-socket joint.
C) Elbow joint – A uniaxial hinge joint.
D) Pubic symphysis – Not a synovial joint; it’s an amphiarthrosis.
Synovial joints (BLANK).
A) May be functionally classified as a synarthrosis.
B) Are joints where the bones are connected to each other by hyaline cartilage.
C) May be functionally classified as an amphiarthrosis.
D) Are joints where the bones articulate with each other within a fluid-filled joint cavity.
D) Are joints where the bones articulate with each other within a fluid-filled joint cavity.
Explanation: Synovial joints are defined by the presence of a joint cavity filled with synovial fluid, allowing free movement (diarthrosis).
Incorrect
A) Synarthroses are immovable, which synovial joints are not.
B) That describes cartilaginous joints, not synovial ones.
C) Amphiarthroses are slightly moveable, not freely moveable like synovial joints.
A (BLANK) is a slightly mobile joint.
A) Amphiarthrosis.
B) Pivot.
C) Ellipsoidal.
D) Diarthrosis.
A) Amphiarthrosis.
Explanation: An amphiarthrosis is a functional classification of a joint that allows only slight movement.
Incorrect
B) Pivot – A type of synovial joint, typically uniaxial and freely movable.
C) Ellipsoidal – Another name for a condyloid joint, a type of freely movable synovial joint.
D) Diarthrosis – Refers to freely movable joints, which are not slightly mobile.
Which type of fibrous joint connects the tibia and fibula?
A) Syndesmosis.
B) Symphysis.
C) Suture.
D) Gomphosis.
A) Syndesmosis.
Explanation: A syndesmosis joins long, parallel bones like the tibia and fibula with a ligament or interosseous membrane, allowing slight movement (amphiarthrosis).
Incorrect
B) Symphysis – A cartilaginous joint joined by fibrocartilage.
C) Suture – A narrow, immovable joint between skull bones.
D) Gomphosis – Peg-and-socket joint that anchors teeth.
An example of a wide fibrous joint is (BLANK).
A) The interosseous membrane of the forearm.
B) A gomphosis.
C) A suture joint.
D) A synostosis.
A) The interosseous membrane of the forearm.
Explanation: This is a wide syndesmosis joint, offering slight movement and serving as a muscle attachment site between the radius and ulna.
Incorrect:
B) Gomphosis – Peg-in-socket tooth joint, not wide.
C) Suture – Narrow fibrous joint found in the skull.
D) Synostosis – Fusion of bones into one; no longer a joint.
A gomphosis (BLANK).
A) Is formed by an interosseous membrane.
B) Connects the tibia and fibula bones of the leg.
C) Contains a joint cavity.
D) Anchors a tooth to the jaw.
D) Anchors a tooth to the jaw.
Explanation: Gomphoses are fibrous, immovable joints connecting a tooth root to its socket using periodontal ligaments.
Incorrect
A) Describes a syndesmosis.
B) Tibia and fibula are connected by a syndesmosis.
C) Gomphoses do not have joint cavities.
A syndesmosis is (BLANK).
A) A narrow fibrous joint.
B) The type of joint that unites bones of the skull.
C) A fibrous joint that unites parallel bones.
D) The type of joint that anchors the teeth in the jaws.
C) A fibrous joint that unites parallel bones.
Explanation: Syndesmoses connect long bones (e.g., radius-ulna, tibia-fibula) with ligaments or membranes, allowing slight movement.
A) Sutures are narrow; syndesmoses may be wide.
B) Skull bones are united by sutures.
D) Teeth are held by gomphoses.
A cartilaginous joint (BLANK).
A) Has a joint cavity.
B) Is called a symphysis when the bones are united by fibrocartilage.
C) Anchors the teeth to the jaws.
D) Is formed by a wide sheet of fibrous connective tissue.
B) Is called a symphysis when the bones are united by fibrocartilage.
Explanation: A symphysis is one of the two types of cartilaginous joints and is specifically formed when bones are united by fibrocartilage (e.g., pubic symphysis, intervertebral discs).
Incorrect
A) Joint cavities are only found in synovial joints.
C) Anchoring teeth is the function of a gomphosis (a fibrous joint).
D) A wide sheet of fibrous tissue forms a syndesmosis, which is a fibrous joint.
A synchondrosis is (BLANK).
A) Found at the pubic symphysis.
B) Where bones are connected together with fibrocartilage.
C) A type of fibrous joint.
D) Found at the first sternocostal joint of the thoracic cage.
D) Found at the first sternocostal joint of the thoracic cage.
Explanation: A synchondrosis is a cartilaginous joint where bones are connected by hyaline cartilage. The first sternocostal joint (between the first rib and sternum) is a classic example.
Incorrect
A) Pubic symphysis is a symphysis, not a synchondrosis.
B) Fibrocartilage defines a symphysis, not a synchondrosis (which uses hyaline cartilage).
C) Synchondroses are cartilaginous, not fibrous, joints.
Which of the following are joined by a symphysis?
A) Adjacent vertebrae.
B) The first rib and the sternum.
C) The end and shaft of a long bone.
D) The radius and ulna bones.
A) Adjacent vertebrae.
Explanation: Intervertebral discs are symphyses, where fibrocartilage unites adjacent vertebrae, allowing limited movement.
Incorrect
B) The first rib and sternum are connected by hyaline cartilage in a synchondrosis.
C) The epiphyseal plate (between end and shaft) is a temporary synchondrosis.
D) Radius and ulna are joined by a syndesmosis, a fibrous joint.
The epiphyseal plate of a growing long bone in a child is classified as a (BLANK).
A) Synchondrosis.
B) Synostosis.
C) Symphysis.
D) Syndesmosis.
A) Synchondrosis.
Explanation: The epiphyseal plate is a temporary cartilaginous joint made of hyaline cartilage. Once growth stops, it becomes a synostosis.
Incorrect
B) Synostosis is the fused bone that forms after the epiphyseal plate ossifies.
C) Symphysis is made of fibrocartilage, not hyaline.
D) Syndesmosis is a fibrous joint, not a cartilaginous one.
Which type of joint provides the greatest range of motion?
A) Ball-and-socket.]
B) Hinge.
C) Condyloid.
D) Plane.
A) Ball-and-socket.
Explanation: Ball-and-socket joints (shoulder, hip) are multiaxial, allowing flexion, extension, rotation, abduction, adduction, and circumduction.
Incorrect
B) Hinge joints are uniaxial.
C) Condyloid joints are biaxial.
D) Plane joints allow only slight gliding movements.
Which type of joint allows for only uniaxial movement?
A) Saddle joint.
B) Hinge joint.
C) Condyloid joint.
D) Ball-and-socket joint.
B) Hinge joint.
Explanation: Hinge joints (e.g., elbow, knee) allow movement in one plane—flexion and extension.
Incorrect
A) Saddle joints are biaxial.
C) Condyloid joints are biaxial.
D) Ball-and-socket joints are multiaxial.
Which of the following is a type of synovial joint?
A) A synostosis.
B) A suture.
C) A plane joint.
D) A synchondrosis.
C) A plane joint.
Explanation: Plane joints are a type of synovial joint with flat surfaces that allow sliding movements.
A) Synostosis is fused bone, not a joint.
B) Suture is a fibrous joint.
D) Synchondrosis is a cartilaginous joint.
A bursa (BLANK).
A) Surrounds a tendon at the point where the tendon crosses a joint.
B) Secretes the lubricating fluid for a synovial joint.
C) Prevents friction between skin and bone, or a muscle tendon and bone.
D) Is the strong band of connective tissue that holds bones together at a synovial joint.
C) Prevents friction between skin and bone, or a muscle tendon and bone.
Explanation: Bursae are fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction in areas of high movement.
Incorrect
A) This describes a tendon sheath, not a bursa.
B) Synovial membranes, not bursae, secrete synovial fluid.
D) Ligaments hold bones together.
At synovial joints, (BLANK).
A) The articulating ends of the bones are directly connected by fibrous connective tissue.
B) The ends of the bones are enclosed within a space called a subcutaneous bursa.
C) Intrinsic ligaments are located entirely inside of the articular capsule.
D) The joint cavity is filled with a thick, lubricating fluid.
D) The joint cavity is filled with a thick, lubricating fluid.
Explanation: Synovial joints contain synovial fluid in the joint cavity for lubrication and shock absorption.
Incorrect
A) Describes fibrous joints, not synovial.
B) The cavity is not a bursa—bursa is separate.
C) Intrinsic ligaments are part of the articular capsule wall, not inside the cavity.
At a synovial joint, the synovial membrane (BLANK).
A) Forms the fibrous connective walls of the joint cavity.
B) Is the layer of cartilage that covers the articulating surfaces of the bones.
C) Forms the intracapsular ligaments.
D) Secretes the lubricating synovial fluid.
D) Secretes the lubricating synovial fluid.
Explanation: The synovial membrane, which lines the inner surface of the articular capsule, produces synovial fluid.
Incorrect
A) The fibrous capsule forms the outer wall.
B) Articular cartilage, not synovial membrane, covers bone surfaces.
C) Ligaments are separate structures from the membrane.
Condyloid joints (BLANK).
A) Are a type of ball-and-socket joint.
B) Include the radiocarpal joint.
C) Are a uniaxial diarthrosis joint.
D) Are found at the proximal radioulnar joint.
B) Include the radiocarpal joint.
Explanation: Condyloid joints (e.g., wrist) are biaxial synovial joints allowing movement in two planes.
Incorrect
A) Ball-and-socket joints are a different class (multiaxial).
C) Condyloid joints are biaxial, not uniaxial.
D) The proximal radioulnar joint is a pivot joint.
A meniscus is (BLANK).
A) A fibrocartilage pad that provides padding between bones.
B) A fluid-filled space that prevents friction between a muscle tendon and underlying bone.
C) The articular cartilage that covers the ends of a bone at a synovial joint.
D) The lubricating fluid within a synovial joint.
A) A fibrocartilage pad that provides padding between bones.
Explanation: A meniscus is a C-shaped disc of fibrocartilage, found in joints like the knee, helping with stability and shock absorption.
Incorrect
B) Describes a bursa.
C) Describes articular cartilage, not a meniscus.
D) Synovial fluid is the lubricating fluid, not the meniscus.
The joints between the articular processes of adjacent vertebrae can contribute to which movement?
A) Lateral flexion.
B) Circumduction.
C) Dorsiflexion.
D) Abduction.
A) Lateral flexion.
Explanation: The plane synovial joints between vertebral articular processes allow for lateral flexion, which is bending the torso to the side.
Incorrect
B) Circumduction occurs at ball-and-socket or condyloid joints, not vertebrae. C) Dorsiflexion is a movement at the ankle, not spine. D) Abduction refers to limb movement away from the midline, not spinal motion.
Which motion moves the bottom of the foot away from the midline of the body?
A) Elevation.
B) Dorsiflexion.
C) Eversion.
D) Plantar flexion.
C) Eversion.
Explanation: Eversion turns the sole of the foot outward, away from the body’s midline.
Incorrect:
A) Elevation moves a body part upward (e.g., shrugging). B) Dorsiflexion raises the foot upward toward the shin. D) Plantar flexion points the foot downward (gas pedal motion).
Movement of a body region in a circular movement at a condyloid joint is what type of motion?
A) Rotation.
B) Elevation.
C) Abduction.
D) Circumduction.
D) Circumduction.
Explanation: Circumduction is a circular motion that combines flexion, abduction, extension, and adduction—possible at condyloid joints.
A) Rotation is twisting around an axis, not circular motion. B) Elevation lifts a structure vertically. C) Abduction moves a part away from the midline—only one part of circumduction.
Supination is the motion that moves the (BLANK).
A) Hand from the palm backward position to the palm forward position.
B) Foot so that the bottom of the foot faces the midline of the body.
C) Hand from the palm forward position to the palm backward position.
D) Scapula in an upward direction.
A) Hand from the palm backward position to the palm forward position.
Explanation: Supination rotates the forearm so the palm faces anteriorly (or upward if the elbow is bent).
B) That describes inversion, not supination.
C) That is pronation, not supination.
D) Upward scapular motion is superior rotation or elevation, not supination.
Movement at the shoulder joint that moves the upper limb laterally away from the body is called (BLANK).
A) Elevation.
B) Eversion.
C) Abduction.
D) Lateral rotation.
C) Abduction.
Explanation: Abduction moves a limb away from the body’s midline, as when lifting the arm sideways.
Incorrect
A) Elevation raises a structure vertically.
B) Eversion affects the foot, not the shoulder.
D) Lateral rotation turns the limb outward but does not move it away from the body.
(BLANK) moves the limb laterally away from the midline of the body.
A) Abduction.
B) Rotation.
C) Circumduction.
D) Adduction.
A) Abduction.
Explanation: Abduction is the movement of a limb away from the midline of the body.
Incorrect
B) Rotation is movement around an axis.
C) Circumduction is a combination of motions in a circular pattern.
D) Adduction brings a limb toward the midline, opposite of abduction.
(BLANK) is the excessive flexion of joint.
A) Pariflexion.
B) Uniflexion.
C) Hyperflexion.
D) Hypoflexion.
C) Hyperflexion.
Explanation: Hyperflexion refers to bending a joint beyond its normal range of motion.
Incorrect
A) Pariflexion is not a recognized anatomical term.
B) Uniflexion is not a valid term.
D) Hypoflexion is not a standard anatomical movement.
The primary support for the glenohumeral joint is provided by the (BLANK).
A) Coracohumeral ligament.
B) Glenoid labrum.
C) Rotator cuff muscles.
D) Subacromial bursa.
C) Rotator cuff muscles.
Explanation: While ligaments and cartilage provide some support, the rotator cuff muscles are the main stabilizers of the shoulder joint.
Incorrect
A) Coracohumeral ligament gives limited support.
B) Glenoid labrum deepens the socket, but does not provide primary support.
D) Subacromial bursa reduces friction but does not stabilize the joint.
The proximal radioulnar joint (BLANK).
A) Is supported by the annular ligament.
B) Contains an articular disc that strongly unites the bones.
C) Is supported by the ulnar collateral ligament.
D) Is a hinge joint that allows for flexion/extension of the forearm.
A) Is supported by the annular ligament.
Explanation: The annular ligament wraps around the head of the radius to hold it in place at the proximal radioulnar joint, which is a pivot joint.
Incorrect
B) No articular disc is present here.
C) The ulnar collateral ligament supports the elbow, not the radioulnar joint.
D) The joint allows rotation, not hinge motion (which is at the elbow).
Which statement is true concerning the knee joint?
A) The lateral meniscus is an intrinsic ligament located on the lateral side of the knee joint.
B) Hyperextension is resisted by the posterior cruciate ligament.
C) The anterior cruciate ligament supports the knee when it is flexed and weight bearing.
D) The medial meniscus is attached to the tibial collateral ligament.
D) The medial meniscus is attached to the tibial collateral ligament.
Explanation: The medial meniscus is connected to the tibial collateral ligament, which helps stabilize the inner knee.
Incorrect
A) Menisci are fibrocartilage pads, not ligaments.
B) Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) resists hyperextension, not posterior.
C) The posterior cruciate ligament supports the flexed, weight-bearing knee.
The ankle joint (BLANK).
A) Is also called the subtalar joint.
B) Allows for gliding movements that produce inversion/eversion of the foot.
C) Is a uniaxial hinge joint.
D) Is supported by the tibial collateral ligament on the lateral side.
C) Is a uniaxial hinge joint.
Explanation: The talocrural (ankle) joint is a hinge joint, allowing dorsiflexion and plantar flexion.
Incorrect
A) The subtalar joint is different—it handles inversion/eversion.
B) Inversion/eversion occur at the intertarsal/subtalar joints, not the ankle.
D) The tibial collateral ligament is part of the knee, not the ankle.
Which region of the vertebral column has the greatest range of motion for rotation?
A) Cervical.
B) Thoracic.
C) Lumbar.
D) Sacral.
A) Cervical.
Explanation: The cervical region, especially the atlantoaxial joint, allows the greatest rotation (e.g., shaking your head “no”).
B) Thoracic allows some rotation, but less than cervical.
C) Lumbar rotation is limited—mostly flexion/extension.
D) Sacral vertebrae are fused, no motion.
Intramembranous ossification (BLANK).
A) Gives rise to the bones of the limbs.
B) Produces the bones of the top and sides of the skull.
C) Produces the bones of the face and base of the skull.
D) Involves the conversion of a hyaline cartilage model into bone.
B) Produces the bones of the top and sides of the skull.
Explanation: Intramembranous ossification forms flat skull bones directly from mesenchyme.
Incorrect
A) Limbs form via endochondral ossification.
C) The base and face develop from endochondral ossification.
D) Hyaline cartilage conversion is part of endochondral, not intramembranous, ossification.
Synovial joints (BLANK).
A) Are derived from fontanelles.
B) Are produced by intramembranous ossification.
C) Develop at an interzone site.
D) Are produced by endochondral ossification.
C) Develop at an interzone site.
Explanation: Synovial joints form at a joint interzone, where mesenchyme differentiates to create the capsule and cavity.
Incorrect
A) Fontanelles relate to skull sutures, not synovial joints.
B) Synovial joints are associated with endochondral, not intramembranous, development.
D) While limb bones form via endochondral ossification, joint formation itself occurs at the interzone.
Endochondral ossification is (BLANK).
A) The process that replaces hyaline cartilage with bone tissue.
B) The process by which mesenchyme differentiates directly into bone tissue.
C) Completed before birth.
D) The process that gives rise to the joint interzone and future joint cavity.
A) The process that replaces hyaline cartilage with bone tissue.
Explanation: In endochondral ossification, a hyaline cartilage model is gradually replaced by bone tissue.
B) Direct mesenchymal-to-bone conversion is intramembranous ossification.
C) Endochondral ossification continues after birth (e.g., at growth plates).
D) Joint interzones are part of joint development, not bone ossification itself.
