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Coursera: Anatomy, Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Systems > Properties of Joints > Flashcards

Properties of Joints Flashcards

1
Q

What is a Joint? (3 points)

A

An articulation between 2 bones.
An articulation between bone & cartilage.
An articulation between bone & teeth (gomphosis).

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2
Q

Functions of Joints. (2 points)

A

Movement: multiaxial (more than 1 plane) or uniaxial (on a single plane).

Synchondroses allowing for the facilitation of growth: in cartilaginous joints.

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3
Q

Movement examples (2): No movement.

A

Sutures of skull, Synchondroses.

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4
Q

Movement example: Slight movement.

A

Distal ends of long bones - amphiarthrotic.

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5
Q

Movement example: Free movement.

A

Synovial joints associated with articular capsules.

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6
Q

Function of Connective Tissue in Joints.

A

Connects / “binds” to bone.

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7
Q

Fibrous Joint classification type: Sutures.

A

Skull sutures,
Slightly moveable in juveniles,
Immoveable in adults - a bony joint, synostosis (replacement of ligaments with bone at an advanced age).

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8
Q

Fibrous Joint classification type: Gomphosis.

A

Alveolar region & teeth,
No bone-to-bone connection,
Tooth & bone connection,
Example of a Peg-and-Socket joint (tooth = peg, fitting into alveolar region of maxilla or mandible),
Periodontal ligaments - keep tooth within bone.

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9
Q

Fibrous Joint classification type: Syndesmosis.

A

Dense, irregular Connective Tissue,
Wide,
E.g. interosseous membrane, CT connecting the shafts of the radius & ulna, CT connecting the shafts between tibia & fibula.

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10
Q

Cartilaginous Joint classification properties in both types (primary & secondary).

A

Composed of cartilage - generally hyaline cartilage,
Always temporary joints (during bone growth),
bones are joined by solid masses of Connective Tissue.

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11
Q

Cartilaginous Joint classification type: Primary.

A

AKA synchondrosis joints,

Hyaline cartilage attaches to bone.

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12
Q

Cartilaginous Joint classification type: Secondary.

A

AKA symphyses joints (permanent),
No movement allowed,
Hyaline cartilage + fibrocartilaginous disc (typically in the middle of joint for greater strength),
2 types: Pubic Symphyses & Intervertebral discs.

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13
Q

Secondary Cartilaginous Joint type: Pubic Symphyses.

A

Anterior portion during pregnancy to allow movement during birth,
greater movement in these joints.

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14
Q

Secondary Cartilaginous Joint type: Intervertebral discs.

A

Cartilaginous portions between the vertebral bodies.

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15
Q

Fibrous Joints: common to all subcategories.

A

Bones are joined by solid masses of Connective Tissue.

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16
Q

Synovial Joints: common description.

A

Bones are joined by a Connective Tissue capsule surrounding a lubricated cavity.

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17
Q

Synovial Joints common structures (3 points)

A

Synovial Capsule, Synovial Cavity & Articular Cartilage.

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18
Q

Synovial Joints common structure: Synovial Capsule.

A

Connective Tissue portion of joint,
Binds bone to bone,
On the sides of joints / binds on the edges,
Allows for the synovial cavity.

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19
Q

Synovial Joints common structure: Synovial Cavity.

A

The space left because of indirect articulation between Connective Tissue and bones,
Plays a role in movability of synovial joints.

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20
Q

Synovial Joints common structure: Articular cartilage.

A

Hyaline Cartilage,
Shock absorbent,
Allows for smooth movement,
Avascular - if damaged, bone on bone contact occurs (painful: cannot heal sufficiently).

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21
Q

Joint movement classification: Synarthrosis.

A

Immovable joints,

2 types: Sutures (in adult skulls) & Synchondroses (epiphyseal plates).

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22
Q

Joint movement classification: Amphiarthrosis.

A

Slightly moveable joints,
Associated with amphiarthosis membranes between the radius & ulna, as well as the tibia & fibula,
Associated, too, with secondary cartilaginous (symphyses) joints.

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23
Q

Joint movement classification: Diarthrosis.

A

Freely moveable joints,
Ball & Socket joints - multiaxial movement (e.g. glenohumeral & acetabulofemoral joints),
Hinge joints - less moveable but more moveable than other joints.

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24
Q

Joint movement classifications

A

Synarthrosis, Amphiarthrosis & Diarthrosis.

25
Q

Relationship between mobility & stability of joints

A

More stability = less mobility,

Less stability = more mobility.

26
Q

Apophyseal Joints: description of concept.

A

A joint where 2 or more bones join in the spinal column,

Apophyseal joints - spinal joints - are encapsulated by Connective Tissues, coated with cartilage & lubricated with synovial fluid to enable smooth joint articulation,

Each vertebra has a pair of apophyseal joints - one on the left & right sides.

27
Q

Z-Joints (Zygapophyseal Joints)

A 
True diarthrodial (diarthrosis) synovial joints, 
Connects adjacent vertebral bodies.
28
Q

Describe Arthritis

A

Inflammation of Joints.

29
Q

Describe Osteoarthritis.

A

A degenerative joint disease: joint articular cartilage is gradually lost, allowing for bone-on-bone contact.

Any bone-on-bone contact leads to: additional erosion of cartilage around it, friction between bones causing osteoblasts to move faster and thus allowing bony spurs to form.

Bony spurs are more common in older adults, runners & athletes.

30
Q

Describe Gouty Arthritis.

A

Gouty Arthritis is an acute inflammatory arthritis.

It is caused by a crystallisation of uric acid.
Individuals with a diet high in purines causes a build-up of uric acid.

Erosion of articular cartilage and joint-capsules occurs.

31
Q

Where is Gouty Arthritis most common?

A

Joints more distal of the body.

Joints of the hand and foot digits, ankles, knees & wrists.
I.e. metatarsophalangeal joints.

32
Q

Describe the diet that causes or exacerbates presentations of Gouty Arthritis.

A 
Diets high in purines:
processed meats (i.e. deli meats), alcohol, some types of processed seafood.
33
Q

Describe Rheumatoid Arthritis.

A

Autoimmune disease: the human body is sending signals to attack the cartilage in particular joints, causing it to tear apart.

34
Q

In which age groups is rheumatoid arthritis most common?

A

Most common in patients between 30-50yro.

Late-onset RA presents around 60-65yro.

35
Q

In which area/s of the body is Rheumatoid Arthritis most common?

A

Digits of hands.

36
Q

Name the 6 types of Synovial joints.

A 
Ball & Socket/Multiaxial,
Plane,
Pivot,
Hinge/Uniaxial,
Saddle,
Condylar.
37
Q

Describe the features of a Ball & Socket Joint, including an example.

A

Multiaxial/Spheroidal Joint - the ball-shaped surface of one rounded bone fits into the cup-like depression of another bone.
Range of motion along multiple axes (thus, multiaxial).

E.g. Glenohumeral Joint: 
Shallow socket (Scapula), bulbous head (Humerus).
Bad fit = greater range of motion.

E.g. Coxal Joint (Hip joint).

38
Q

Describe the features of a Plane Joint, including an example.

A

Flat or almost flat articular surfaces, causing them to slide passed each other.

Typically biaxial.

E.g. Acromioclavicular Joint:
Acromion Process of Scapula & Lateral end of Clavicle form the AC Joint.
Slight movement in order for movement up & down, and sometimes anterior and posterior.

39
Q

Describe the features of a Pivot Joint, including an example.

A

AKA a “Rotary Joint” or “Trochoid Joint”.
Freely moveable joint (diarthrotic).
Allows only rotary movement around a single axis.

E.g. Proximal Radioulnar Joint:
Slight pivot movement in pronation and supination.
Presence of a ligament which allows radial head to pivot.

40
Q

Describe the features of a Hinge Joint, including an example.

A

Larger joints tend to be Hinge Joints.
Range of motion primarily on one plane.

E.g. Humeroulnar Joint (Elbow):
Uniaxial.
Allows flexion & extension on a single axis.

E.g. Knee Joint.

41
Q

Describe the features of a Saddle Joint, including an example.

A

One articulating surface looks like a saddle, while the other sits in it.
Allows for a large amount of movement - flexion, extension, adduction, abduction & thus, circumduction.

E.g. First Carpal Metacarpal Joint:
First digit (thumb) metacarpal articulates with the triquetral bone (a carpal bone).
42
Q

Describe the features of a Condyloid Joint, including an example.

A

Not as bulbous as Saddle Joints.
AKA “Condylar”, “Ellipsoidal” or “Bicondylar” Joint.
Is an ovoid articular surface / the condyle that is received into an elliptical cavity.
Allows movement along 2 planes - flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, and thus, circumduction.

E.g. Metacarpophalangeal Joint.

43
Q

Define “Range of Motion”.

A

The range through which bones of a joint can be moved.

Measured in degrees in a circle.

44
Q

Name 3 structures present in all Synovial Joints.

A

Articular Capsule,
Articular Cartilage,
Synovial Cavity.

45
Q

Describe the structure of Synovial Joints: Articular Capsule.

A

On the either side edge of the bone.
Encloses the synovial cavity.
2 layers: Fibrous (outer) layer & Synovial membrane (inner layer).

Fibrous layer - more robust to protect the inner layers, composed of more dense CT.
Synovial membrane - secretes synovial fluid.

46
Q

Describe the structure of Synovial Joints: Articular Cartilage.

A

Hyaline Cartilage.
Doesn’t bind bone to bone, it’s just present to absorb shock - avoids pain caused by bone to bone contact.
Present at the ends of bones.
Avascular (so won’t heal well, if at all).
Functions: reduces friction, shock absorbent.

47
Q

Describe the structure of Synovial Joints: Synovial Cavity.

A

Space between articulating bones.
Allows for movement.
Lines all components except articular (hyaline) cartilage.

Functions:
Secretes synovial fluid,
Shock absorbent,
Reduces friction,
includes phagocytic cells,
Supplies nutrients to articular cartilage (i.e. oxygen from synovial fluid).
48
Q

Describe the structure of Synovial Joints: Articular discs.

A

Composed of fibrocartilage structure.
Divides the synovial cavity.
Not large.

E.g. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ):
Articular discs in the middle of the TMJ joint.

49
Q

Describe the structure of Synovial Joints: Meniscus.

A

Incomplete, fibrocartilaginous discs (don’t form a complete circle like articular discs).

Functions:
Improvement of joint fit,
Redistributes weight,
Shock absorbent,
Facilitation of combined movements.

E.g. sits on top of distal portion of femur in knee joint.

50
Q

Describe the structure of Synovial Joints: Labrum.

A

Exclusive to ball-&-socket joints.
Extension of CT that forms a lip to allow for a better fit of the ball portion of B&S Joints.
Fibrocartilaginous lip.

E.g. shoulder & hip joints:
Sits in the ball portion, allowing for a better fit into the socket.

51
Q

Describe the structure of Synovial Joints: Bursae.

A

Not a true component of synovial joints, but often associated with synovial joints.
Little CT sac-like structures similar to joint capsules.
Contain some fluid.
Found in areas with great movement/friction points and areas with more complex movements. (i.e. Shoulder joint).
Associated with tendon sheaths (specialised, very long bursae’s).

E.g. wrist region:
Tendons covered by tendon sheaths here, allowing the wrist and digits to flex without pain.

52
Q

Describe the structure of Synovial Joints: Bursae.

A

Not a true component of synovial joints, but often associated with synovial joints.
Little CT sac-like structures similar to joint capsules.
Contain some fluid.
Found in areas with great movement/friction points and areas with more complex movements. (i.e. Shoulder joint).
Associated with tendon sheaths (specialised, very long bursae’s).

E.g. wrist region:
Tendons covered by tendon sheaths here, allowing the wrist and digits to flex without pain.

53
Q

Describe ligaments. Including the 2 main categories.

A

All joints have ligaments.
“Lig” means “to bind” / bone-to-bone, whereas tendons are muscle to bone.

2 main categories:
Intrinsic ligaments - connects bone to bone.
E.g. sutural ligaments - CT between bones join the two together.

Extrinsic ligaments - connects areas of bone to other structures, between the bones in a joint which is separate from the joint capsule. Important in controlling range of motion.
E.g. collateral ligaments.

54
Q

How does the structure & shape of articulating bones affect Range of Motion? Glenohumeral Joint

A

Head of humerus (ball portion) fits into the glenoid cavity (socket region).
Glenoid cavity is shallow, so only 1/3 of humeral head fits into socket.
Freely moveable joint - great ROM.

55
Q

How does the structure & shape of articulating bones affect Range of Motion? Bones of the Skull.

A

Bones fit together at suture lines.

No range of motion.

56
Q

Effect of ligaments on ROM. Example: elbow joint.

A

Ligaments of different strength affect joint movements differently.

Elbow joint - 2 ligaments here.
With all hinge joints, collateral ligaments are associated. Collateral ligaments play a role in not allowing medial or lateral deviation of joints.
Elbow joint ligaments are very strong capsular ligaments that protect the sides of the joint, allowing flexion & extension with very little movement (whether medial or lateral).

57
Q

Effect of muscles on ROM.

A

Depends on how much a joint is covered with muscles or tendons.

58
Q

Effect of hormones on ROM: E.g. Relaxin.

A

Particularly during pregnancy and as pregnancy progresses.
Pubic symphysis joint is a type of symphyseal joint (cartilaginous).

Relaxin relaxes all joints in the body but especially useful around the pubic girdle, pubic symphysis & sacroiliac joints to allow for the widening of the outlet & inlet regions - thus, allowing for childbirth.

Coursera: Anatomy, Musculoskeletal and Integumentary Systems (5 decks)

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