Joints

Question 1

What is a joint and what is another name for it?

Answer 1

A joint is the union between two or more rigid components (bone or cartilage).
Articulation (two bones articulate with each other)

Question 2

What are the three classifications of joints?

Answer 2

Fibrous
Cartilaginous
Synovial

Question 3

Describe fibrous joints and name some examples

Answer 3

It is made of dense fibrous connective tissue and has high tensile strength. There is little movement in these joints in adults.
Some examples include the joints involved in teeth, cranial sutures which provide flexibility and interosseus membranes (syndemosis) between the tibia and fibula and radial and ulna

Question 4

Name the two types of cartilaginous joints and how they differ

Answer 4

Synchondroses are primary cartilaginous made from one type of cartilage called hyaline and they allow for bone growth. They disappear in adults as the cartilage is replaced by bone. There is no movement at these joints.
Symphyses are secondary cartilaginous which are found in the midline, do not ossify with age and have limited movement. There are two types of cartilage called fibrocartilage and hyaline.

Question 5

Describe synovial joints

Answer 5

These have the greatest movement and are surrounded by a fibrous capsule and a synovial membrane which fills the joint with synovial fluid. These also contain articular discs, ligaments and bursae (fluid filled sac of synovial membrane which acts as a pillow to reduce friction).

Question 6

Name the six types of synovial joint

Answer 6

Pivotal
Saddle
Hinge
Plane
Ball and socket
Condylar (ellipsoid)

Question 7

What is anastomoses and what does it do?

Answer 7

Anastomoses is when the blood vessels branch off and offer alternative routes for blood supply so that blood supply doesn’t get cut off when there is movement.

Question 8

What is Hiltons Law?

Answer 8

The nerve supplying a muscle that crosses a certain joint, also innervates this joint.