Joints in the Human Body [Applied Science 25%]

Question 1

What is a joint?

Answer 1

A crucial component of human movement. The articulation point between two bones.

Question 2

How are joints calssified?

Answer 2

Joints are classified by the type of tissue they contain: fibrous, cartilaginous, or synovial.

Question 3

What are fibrous joints?

Answer 3

Joints with fibrous connective tissue joining two bones that allow for very little movement.

Question 4

What are the 3 types of fibrous joints?

Answer 4

1. Sutures or synarthrodial joints
2. Syndesmoses joints

3.Gomphosis joints

Question 5

What is a synarthrodial joint?

Answer 5

Also known as sutures. This fibrous joint is found in the skull. During birth, sutures are flexible to allow the baby to pass through the birth canal, and they become more rigid with age.

Question 6

What is the syndesmosis joint?

Answer 6

Fibrous joint found between long bones, like the tibia and fibula.

Question 7

What are Gomphosis joints?

Answer 7

Fibrous joints that attach teeth to the sockets of the maxilla and mandible.

Question 8

What are cartilaginous joints?

Answer 8

Joints that are joined by either fibrocartilage, the most rigid and strong cartilage, or hyaline cartilage, which is softer and more widespread.

Cartilaginous joints are slightly movable and are further divided into primary and secondary joints.

Question 9

Describe the cartilaginous joint categories.

Answer 9

1. Primary: epiphyseal (growth) plates.
2. Secondary: intervertebral discs (layers of cartilage between vertebrae).

Question 10

What are synovial joints (aka, diarthrodial joints)?

Answer 10

The most common and most movable joints in the body. They are fluid-filled joints found between bones that move against one another.

Question 11

What are non-synovial joints (aka, synarthroses)?

Answer 11

Fibrous and cartilaginous joints that lack a fluid junction, and do not allow for much movement.

Question 12

How do synovial joints work?

Answer 12

In synovial joints, bones are separated by a synovial joint cavity made of dense, irregular connective tissue.

The outside of the cavity, known as the articular capsule, is part of the periosteum.

The cavities are filled with synovial fluid to reduce friction and form a film over joint surfaces, and they are lined by a synovial membrane.

Question 13

What are the 6 classifications of synovial joints?

Answer 13

1. Ball-and-socket joint
2. Saddle joint
3. Hinge joint
4. Gliding joint
5. Pivot joint
6. Condyloid joint

Question 14

Ball & Socket Joint

Answer 14

Also known as an enarthrodial joint, this joint allows a wide range of movement in many directions. Examples are the shoulder and hip joints.

Question 15

Saddle Joint

Answer 15

Similar to ball-and-socket joints but cannot rotate. Examples include the trapezium and the first metacarpal joint (joint between the thumb and wrist).

Question 16

Hinge Joint

Answer 16

Joints that include the elbows, ankles, and knee joints. They allow a wide range of movement in one plane (direction).

Question 17

Gliding Joint

Answer 17

The arthrodial joints of the body include the tarsals and metatarsal of the foot. In these joints, two flat bones press up against each other.

Question 18

Pivot Joint

Answer 18

Trochoidal joints rotate around a long axis (line that runs parallel to the joint). The radioulnar joint of the forearm is a pivot joint.

Question 19

Condyloid Joint

Answer 19

Also known as an ellipsoid joint, these joints move in two directions—one direction primarily with a small range in another direction. Rotation is not allowed in these joints. The radiocarpal joint at the wrist is a prime example.

Question 20

Proximal Joint Category

Answer 20

Joints closest to the midline of the body, which are the foundation for the legs and arms.

Question 21

Middle Joint Category

Answer 21

These are generally hinge joints with a motion primarily moving forward and backward like the knee.

Question 22

Distal Joint Category

Answer 22

Joints that are farther from the midline of the body. They create a variety of intricate movements. The wrist is an example.

Question 23

Close-packed Joint Position

Answer 23

The most stable joint position, when the connective tissue is taut and neighboring bones have the most contact.