Joints Flashcards
What is a joint?
A junction in the skeleton where two or more bones meet and are joined by ligaments or cartilage
How are joints classified?
According to the degree of movement that it permits
How many types of joints are there?
Three
What are the three types of joints?
Immovable joints
Semi-movable joints
Freely movable joints
What is another name for freely movable joints?
Synovial joints
What is an immovable joint?
A joint which does not allow any movement
What is an example of an immovable joint?
The serrated sutures between the bones of the cranium
What is a semi-movable joint?
This type of joint allows a slight degree of movement, in order to prevent friction
What is a synovial joint?
A type of joint that allows free movement
How many components are there in a synovial joint?
Seven
What are the seven components of a synovial joint?
Bones Synovial cavity Synovial fluid Ligament(s) Synovial membrane Hyaline cartilage Joint capsule
What is a joint capsule?
A sac made up of a ligament which encloses the whole joint
What is the synovial cavity?
The space around the two or bones in a joint enclosed by the synovial membrane
What is the synovial membrane?
The membrane which lines the joint capsule
What does the synovial membrane do?
It secretes synovial fluid
What does synovial fluid do?
Prevents friction in the joint
What do ligaments do?
Ligaments are only present in some synovial joints
They attach the two bones of the joint to each other
How are synovial joints classified?
According to the type of movement that takes place
How many types of synovial joints are there?
Four
What are the four types of synovial joints?
Ball-and-socket
Hinge
Pivot
Gliding
What does a ball-and-socket joint look like?
The head of one bone fits into another
What kind of movement does a ball-and-socket joint allow?
Movement in any direction
What kind of movement does a hinge joint permit?
Movement in only one plane
What kind of movement does a pivot joint permit?
The kind of movement where one bone rotates around another
What is an example of a pivot joint?
The joint between the first two cervical vertebrae
What is a gliding joint?
A joint in which the flat articulate surface of one bone slides over another
What process can allow the bones of a skeleton and its joints to be visible?
An x-ray
What do doctors use x-rays for?
To diagnose bone fractures
To diagnose the dislocation of joints
