Joints of the Upper Limb

Question 1

Joint located between the acromion of scapula and lateral end of clavicle

Answer 1

Acromioclavicular (AC) joint

Question 2

The Acromioclavicular joint is what type of joint

Answer 2

Synovial plane joint (joint capsule surrounds joint cavity).

Other info: Gliding movements occur when the scapula rotates or clavicle is elevated or depressed.

Question 3

The articular surfaces (of the acromioclavicular joint) are made up of _______ _______ and are separated by a fibrocartilaginous disk either partly or completely

Answer 3

hyaline cartilage

Question 4

Extrinsic ligaments of the acromioclavicular joint (3)

Answer 4

1/2) superior and inferior acromioclavicular ligaments

3) coracoclavicular ligament

Question 5

Role of the superior/inferior acromioclavicular ligaments in the AC joint

Answer 5

reinforce the joint capsule

Question 6

Very strong bipartite accessory ligament from coracoid process to clavicle. Suspends weight of scapula and upper extremity from clavicle

Answer 6

coracoclavicular ligament

Question 7

Medical term for separated shoulder

Answer 7

dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint

Question 8

Why is separated shoulder a misnomer?

Answer 8

Shoulder joint is not dislocated. Dislocated AC joint and torn coracoclavicular ligament.

Question 9

What happens with the trapezius in a separated shoulder?

Answer 9

trapezius pulls clavicle superiorly

Question 10

Most commonly dislocated joint in adults due to the shallowness of the glenoid fossa

Answer 10

Glenohumeral joint

Question 11

What type is the glenohumeral joint

Answer 11

synovial ball and socket joint

Question 12

Two openings in the capsule surrounding the glenohumeral joint

Answer 12

1) opening between tubercles of humerus for passage of tendon of long head of biceps brachii
2) opening anteriorly for communication with subscapular bursa, which is an outpocketing of synovial membrane from within joint cavity

Question 13

Fibrocartilaginous rim deepening the shallow glenoid cavity

Answer 13

glenoid labrum

Question 14

Ligaments of the glenohumeral joint (3)

Answer 14

1) Superior, middle, and inferior glenohumeral ligaments (thickening of the anterior part of capsule)
2) Transverse Humeral Ligament (accessory ligament extending from greater to lesser tubercles of humerus. Forms a bridge over bicipital groove (intertubercular sulcus) that holds tendon of long head of biceps against humerus
3) Coracohumeral ligament (strong and extends from coracoid process of scapula to greater tuberosity of humerus)

Question 15

Hold head of humerus in glenoid cavity

Answer 15

tendons of rotator cuff muscles

Question 16

Direction most dislocations of the humeral head occur in the glenohumeral joint

Answer 16

downward (inferior) direction

Question 17

Joint between trochlea and capitulum of humerus and trochlear notch of ulna and head of radius

Answer 17

elbow joint

Question 18

Elbow joint is which type

Answer 18

synovial hinge joint

Question 19

Strong triangular shaped ligament extending from lateral epicondyle of humerus to annular ligament

Answer 19

radial (lateral) collateral ligament

Question 20

Consists of three strong bands extending mostly from medial epicondyle of humerus to ulna

Answer 20

ulnar (medial) collateral ligament

Question 21

Why is the elbow joint capsule weak anteriorly and posteriorly?

Answer 21

To allow for flexion and extension of the forearm

Question 22

Humerus driven through weak anterior capsule of joint. May damage ulnar nerve. Typically a fall onto an outstretched hand with elbow in extension upon impact

Answer 22

posterior dislocation of elbow joint

Question 23

Joint between circumference of head of radius and radial notch of ulna

Answer 23

proximal radio-ulnar joint

Question 24

proximal radio-ulnar joint is what type

Answer 24

synovial pivot joint (permits supination and pronation of forearm in conjunction with distal radio-ulnar joint)

Question 25

Forms a collar around head of radius. Is attached to margins of radial notch on ulna.

Answer 25

Annular ligament

Question 26

What might be ruptured in the dislocation of the radial head

Answer 26

annular ligament

Question 27

Syndesmosis formed by the interosseous membrane of forearm. Fibers in membrane run inferiorly and medially from medial border of radius to ulna. Membrane transmits force from radius to ulna, and from ulna to humerus as occurs in a fall on outstretched hand. This prevents the head of radius from being thrust against capitulum of humerus, which could result in fracture of radial head

Answer 27

middle radio-ulnar joint

Question 28

Joint between head of ulna and ulnar notch on distal end of radius.

Answer 28

distal radio-ulnar joint

Question 29

Distal radio-ulnar joint is what type

Answer 29

synovial pivot type joint permitting supination and pronation of forearm

Question 30

Extends from lower border of ulnar notch of radius to base of styloid process of ulna. Separates distal radio-ulnar joint from wrist joint. Strongly like radius and ulna.

Answer 30

articular disc

Question 31

Synovial plane joints allowing a small amount of gliding movement between carpal bones

Answer 31

intercarpal joints

Question 32

Compare the carpometacarpal joints for metacarpals 2-5 and carpometacarpal joint of thumb

Answer 32

the carpometacarpal joints for metacarpals 2-5 permit little movement while the carpometacarpal joint of thumb is a synovial saddle shaped joint that permits flexion-extension and adduction-abduction

Question 33

Joint between radius and articular disc of distal radioulnar joint above scaphoid/lunate/triquetral bones below. Ulna does not participate in this joint.

Answer 33

Wrist or Radiocarpal joint

Question 34

What type is the radiocarpal joint

Answer 34

ellipsoidal synovial joint permitting movements of abduction-adduction, flex/extension, and cricumduction

Question 35

Extend from styloid processes of radius and ulna to carpal bones, respectively. Somewhat limit abduction-adduction movements

Answer 35

radial and ulnar collateral ligaments

Question 36

Fracture of the distal end of the radius and ulna styloid. Common fracture in persons 50 years of age and older. Most common fracture of the forearm. More frequent in women. Typically occur when person falls on outstretched hands. Distal fragment of radius is often displaced posteriorly from shaft of radius resulting in a dinner-fork deformity.

Answer 36

Colles' fracture

Question 37

Synovial condyloid joints between heads of metacarpal bones and base of proximal phalanges. Permit movements of flexion-extension and abduction-adduction

Answer 37

Metacarpophalangeal (MP) Joints

Question 38

Firmly attach phalanx to metacarpals. Are tense when joint is extended

Answer 38

palmar ligaments

Question 39

Hold heads of metacarpal bones together.

Answer 39

Deep transverse metacarpal ligaments

Question 40

Present on medial and lateral sides of MP joints. Tense when joint is flexed.

Answer 40

collateral ligaments

Question 41

Have synovial hinge type of articulations between phalangeal bones

Answer 41

Interphalangeal (IP) joints