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Joints

Joints are sites where two or more bones meet and allow for movement. There are three main classifications of joints - functional (based on movement), structural (based on material binding bones), and synovial (freely moving joints with fluid-filled cavities). The document then describes each type of joint in detail, the structures of synovial joints, types of movement at joints, and common joint disorders like bursitis, sprains, and various forms of arthritis.

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103 views

Joints

Joints are sites where two or more bones meet and allow for movement. There are three main classifications of joints - functional (based on movement), structural (based on material binding bones), and synovial (freely moving joints with fluid-filled cavities). The document then describes each type of joint in detail, the structures of synovial joints, types of movement at joints, and common joint disorders like bursitis, sprains, and various forms of arthritis.

Uploaded by

joynadua
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BIO 2401

JOINTS

page 1

JOINTS
Joint = articulation; sites where 2 or more bones meet; weakest part of skeleton
Joint Functions:
mobility
hold skeleton together

Classification of Joints
functional based on amount of movement allowed at joint
1. synarthroses immovable joints; restricted to axial skeleton
2. amphiarthroses slight movable joints; restricted to axial skeleton
3. diarthroses freely moving joints; predominate in limbs
structural based on material binding bones together and whether or not a joint cavity is
present
1. fibrous bones joined by fibrous tissue; no joint cavity present; amount of movement is
based on length of connective tissue fibers; 3 types
2. cartilagenous bones joined by cartilage; no joint cavity present; 2 types
3. synovial bones are separated by a fluid-filled joint cavity; allows substantial free
movement
Structural Classification of Joints
1. fibrous joints
a. suture (seams) occur between bones of skull; articulating bone edges interlock and
junction is filled by short connective fibers that are continuous with periosteum; are rigid
splices that allow bone growth
b. syndesmosis bones are connected by ligaments; connecting fibers are longer than in
sutures to allow for give; e.g. distal end of tibia and fibula attached by ligaments;
ligaments attaching radius and ulna
c. gomphoses peg in socket joints (teeth)
2. cartilaginous joints
a. synchrondrosis bar or plate of hyaline cartilage uniting bone; totally immovable; e.g.,
epiphyseal plates connecting diaphysis and epiphyses; costal cartilage of 1st rib and
manubrium
b. symphysis bones are covered with hyaline cartilage which fuses to intervening pad of
fibrocartilage; (e.g., intervertebral joints and pubic symphysis)

BIO 2401

JOINTS

page 2

3. synovial joints articulating bones are separated by fluid-filled cavity; e.g., all joints in
limbs; 4 structures common to all synovial joints
1) articular cartilage (hyaline) is spongy; absorbs compression placed on joint; thus keeps
bones from being crushed at their ends
2) joint (synovial) cavity filled with synovial fluid
3) articular capsule 2 layered; external layer is tough fibrous capsule (dense irregular
tissue) and is continuous with periostea of articulating bones; internal layer is a synovial
membrane (loose connective tissue)
4) synovial fluid filtrate of blood that is viscous (becomes less viscous with joint activity
because fluid is warmed up); provides slippery weight-bearing film that reduces friction
between cartilages; is forced from cartilages when joint is compressed and seeps back as
pressure is released; contains phagocytic cells that clean up cellular debris
5) other structures found in many synovial joints:
reinforcing ligaments reinforces and strengthens; can be intrinsic (part of fibrous
capsule) or extracapsular; can also be intracapsular and covered with synovial
membrane
bursae flattened fibrous sacs lined with synovial membrane; contain a thin film
synovial fluid; common in sites where ligaments, muscles, skin, tendons or bones rub
together
tendon sheath elongated bursae that wraps completely around a tendon subjected to
friction
Types of Movement in Synovial Joints
1.
gliding simplest movement; one flat bone surface glides over another similar surface
(e.g., intercarpal and intertarsal joints; articular processes of vertebrae)
2.
flexion bending movement; decreases angle of joint and brings bones close together
usually over a sagittal plane (e.g., bending knee or body trunk; bending head forward on
chest)
3.
extension reverse of flexion; increases angle between articulating bones; can hyperextend
(bending back beyond upright position)
4.
abduction movement of a limb away from midline, along frontal plane (e.g., raising arm
or thigh laterally, or spreading toes)
5.
adduction opposite of abduction; movement of a limb toward body midline
6.
circumduction moving a limb so it describes a cone in space; distal end moves in circle
while point of cone (proximal end) remains stationary; consists of flexion, abduction,
extension, and adduction performed in succession
7.
rotation turning of a bone around its long axis; can be medial or lateral (e.g., movement
between first 2 cervical vertebrae and at hip and shoulder joints)
8.
supination refers to movements of the radius around the ulna; ulna and radius are parallel
to each other (defines anatomical position)
9.
pronation refers to movement of the radius around the ulna; radius is rotated over ulna;
weaker movement than supination (is position when palm faces downward or posteriorly)

BIO 2401

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JOINTS

page 3

inversion special movement of foot; sole of foot turns medially


eversion special movement of foot; sole of foot turns laterally
protraction nonangular anterior movement in a transverse plane (e.g., jutting out of jaw)
retraction nonangular posterior movement in a transverse plane (e.g., moving jaw back to
original position after jutting it out)
elevation lifting a body part superiorly (e.g., chewing)
depression moving an elevated body part inferiorly (e.g., chewing)
opposition thumb only; results because of saddle joint between metacarpal 1 and carpals

Types of Synovial Joints 6 major categories


1. plane articulating surfaces are flat; allow only short slipping or gliding movements;
nonaxial joints (e.g., joints between vertebral articular processes and intercarpal/intertarsal
joints)
2. hinge motion is along a single plane, like a hinge; occurs when a cylindrical projection of 1
bone fits into a trough-shaped surface on another bone; permits flexion and extension only
(e.g., bending and straightening elbow and interpharyngeal joints)
3. pivot movement is uniaxial rotation of one bone around its own long axis; occurs when
rounded end of one bone protrudes into a sleeve or ring of another (e.g., joint between atlas
and dens of axis; rotation of radius around ulna at proximal end)
4. condyloid ellipsoidal joint; oval articular surface of one bone fits into complementary
depression in another; both articular surfaces are oval; permits all angular motions (flexion,
extension, abduction, adduction) (e.g., metacarpophalangeal or knuckle joint; radiocarpal or
wrist joint)
5. saddle each articular surface has both concave and convex areas; articular surfaces fit
together, concave to convex surfaces (e.g., carpometacarpal joints of thumb; allows
twiddling of thumbs)
6. ball and socket spherical or hemispherical head of one bone articulates with cuplike socket
of another; most freely moving joints in all axes and planes, including rotation (e.g., shoulder
and hip joints)
Joint Disorders
1. bursitis inflammation of a bursa (excessive fluid accumulates); usually caused by a blow or
friction
2. sprain ligaments reinforcing joint are stretched or torn; heal slowly because ligaments are
poorly vascularized
3. arthritis 100 different types of inflammatory or degenerative diseases that damage the
joints; symptoms are pain, stiffness, and swelling
osteoarthritis chronic; wear and tear arthritis; course is slow and irreversible; theory is
that normal joint use prompts release of enzymes that break down articular cartilage, but
more cartilage is destroyed than replaced; get softened, roughened, cracked and eroded
cartilages and bone tissue thickens and forms bony spurs that may restrict joint
movement

BIO 2401

JOINTS

page 4

rheumatoid arthritis chronic inflammatory disorder; early stages include joint


tenderness and stiffness; get flare-ups and remisions; is an autoimmune disorder where
the synovial membrane becomes inflammed and inflammatory cells migrate into joint
cavity from blood; synovial fluid accumulates, swelling joint; inflamed membrane
thickens into a pannus and this erodes the cartilage; scar tissue forms and attaches to
bone ends, eventually ossifying and immobilizing the joint
gout uric acid gets deposited as needle-shaped crystals in soft tissue of joints; causes
inflammatory response and great pain; can result in fusion of articulating bones

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