joints Flashcards
What are joints?
articulations; where 2 bones come together
What do joints do?
hold bones together securely; give the skeleton mobility
What is function?
amount of movement allowed by the joint; range of motion (ROM)
What is synarthroses?
immovable
What is amphiarthroses?
slightly movable
What is diarthroses?
freely movable
What are fibrous joints?
bones held together by fibrous connective tissue
What are characteristics of fibrous joints?
lack a synovial cavity; most are synarthrotic; some are amphiarthrotic
What are cartilaginous joints?
bone ends connected by cartilage; lack a synovial cavity
What are examples of cartilaginous joints?
pubic symphysis & intervertebral discs (amphiarthrotic); hyaline cartilage epiphyseal plates & joints between ribs and sternum (synarthrotic)
What are examples of fibrous joints?
sutures of the skull (synarthrotic); syndesmosis: the connecting fibers are longer than the sutures and have more “give” (amphiarthrotic)
What are synovial joints?
bone ends are separated by a joint cavity containing synovial fluid; all are diarthrotic
What are examples of synovial joints?
knee, shoulder, elbow, hip, fingers
What are features of synovial joints?
articular cartilage, articular capsule, joint cavity, & synovial fluid
What is the articular cartilage?
hyaline cartilage covers the ends of bones forming the joint
What is the articular capsule?
capsule that surrounds the joint; lined with a smooth synovial membrane
What is the joint cavity?
space inside the capsule; contains lubricating synovial fluid
What is the synovial fluid?
clear fluid with a consistency of molasses; lubricates, distributes nutrients, & absorbs shock
What are cartilage & fat pads?
lie between opposing articular surfaces
What is a meniscus?
pad of cartilage between opposing bones with a synovial joint
What are fat pads?
masses of adipose tissue that protect the cartilage and act as packing material for the joint
What are reinforcing ligaments & tendons?
support, strengthen, & reinforce synovial joints
What is a bursa?
flattened sacs filled with synovial fluid; common where things rub together; they reduce friction & absorb shock
What is a tendon sheath?
an elongated/tubular bursa that wraps like a hot dog bun around a tendon that is subject to friction; where tendons cross bony surfaces
What are the types of synovial joints based on shape?
plane “gliding” joint, hinge joint, condyloid (ellipsoid) joint, saddle joint, pivot joint, & ball-and-socket joint
What are characteristics of plane “gliding” joints?
articular surface is basically flat; only short gliding movements allowed; nonaxial
What are examples of plane “gliding” joints?
intercarpal joints (wrist), SI joint, AC joint
What are characteristics of hinge joints?
rounded process of one bone fits into a trough-shaped surface of another; movement in one plane is allowed (like a door hinge); uniaxial/monoaxial
What are examples of hinge joints?
elbow, knee, ankle, interphalangeal
What are characteristics of condyloid (ellipsoid) joints?
“knuckle-like” oval condyle of one bone fits into an oval depression of another; biaxial
What are examples of condyloid (ellipsoid) joints?
metacarpophalangeal joints (knuckles)
What are characteristics of saddle joints?
articular surface is saddle-shaped; biaxial
What are examples of saddle joints?
carpometacarpal joint of the thumb
What are characteristics of pivot joints?
rounded end of one bone fits into a shallow depression of another; uniaxial/monoaxial
What are examples of pivot joints?
proximal radioulnar joint, the atlas/axis of spine