Joints Flashcards
What is articulation?
A site where two or more bones meet
What is the function of joints?
- Give the skeleton mobility
- Hold the skeleton together
How are stability and flexibility correlated?
- Increased stability reduces flexibility
- Decreased stability increases flexibility
What are the three structural classifications of of joints?
- Fibrous joints
- Cartilaginous joints
- Synovial joints
What are fibrous joints?
Bones joined by fibrous connective tissue with no space inbetween
What are cartilaginous joints?
Bones joined by pad or bridge cartilage
What are synovial joints?
Bones separated by fluid-filled cavity, surrounded by connective tissue
Mobility of fibrous joints?
Little to no movement
What are sutures?
A type of fibrous joints between bones of the skull which are ossified in adults
Mobility of cartilaginous joints?
Minimal movement however high stability and shock absorbance
What are the two type of cartilaginous joints?
Temporary which is replaced by bone in adulthood or permanent
Mobility of synovial joints?
Very mobile
What are the two types of synovial joints?
Simple joint - 2 bones
Composite joint - several bones
What is hyaline cartilage?
Articular surface cover that reduces friction and is a shock absorber
What is a joint capsule?
Fibrous tissue that surrounds a joint and helps stabilise it
What are the two parts of the joint capsule and what are their roles?
Outer fibrous capsule - strength
Inner synovial membrane - secretes synovial fluid
Why is synovial fluid important?
For lubrication, reduced friction, nutrition and shock absorbance
What are extracapsular ligaments?
Ligaments located outside of a joint’s capsule for cranial/caudal stability
What are intracapsular ligaments?
Ligaments located within the joint capsule for rotational stability
What is a disc?
Flat thin cartilage which completely separates the joint cavities
What is a menisci?
Crescent shaped thin cartilage which does not fully seperate the joint cavities
What are the three functional classifications of joints?
Synarthrotic - immovable joints
Amphiarthrotic - slightly movable
Diarthrotic - freely movable
How are the structural and functional classifications paired in joints?
Fibrous - synarthrotic
Cartilaginous - amphyarthrotic
Synovial - diarthrotic
What does flexion mean?
Decrease the angle between two bones
What does extension mean?
Increase the angle between two bones
What does rotation mean?
A twisting movement of a segment around its own axis
What does abduction mean?
Movement away from medial plane
What does adduction mean?
Movement towards the median plane
