Course Module

ANATOMY
& PHYSIOLOGY
<BSSC004>
 Lesson 9

JOINTS OF THE
SKELETAL SYSTEM

Alicia Lonzame-Lopena, RN MAN

Joints or articulations are functional junctions between bones.
They bond parts of the skeletal system, make possible bone
growth, permits parts of the skeleton to change shape during
childbirth, and enable the body to move in response to skeletal
muscle contractions.

(Audio)
 1. Types of joints
Lesson 2. Types of joint movements
Content 3. Life span changes
Lesson Objectives

At the end of the lesson, the following

objectives should be attained,
1. Explain how joints can be
classified .
2. Describe how skeletal muscles
produce movements at joints.
3. Identify several types of joint
movement
4. Describe life –span changes in
joints .
Joints – articulation
• Functional junctions between bones
• Bond parts of the skeletal system
• Enable the body to move in response to
skeletal muscle contraction
There are three groups of joints
1. Fibrous joints
2. Cartilaginous joints
3. Synovial joints
 Joints are
classified
as

• Immobile – synarthrotic
• Slightly movable –
amphiarthrotic
• Freely movable –
diarthrotic
FIBROUS JOINT
• Dense connective tissue and many collagen fibers
• These joints are between bones in close contact
a. Syndesmosis – bones are bound by a bundle of connected tissues
o junctions is flexible and may be twisted – permit slight movement
o example: between the tibia and fibula (Amphiarthrotic)
b. Sutures – between flat bones of the skull
o Thin layer of dense connective tissue
o Infantile skull is not fully developed and bones are connected by
membranous areas called fontanels
o This allows the skull to change shape during child birth
o As bones continue to grow – fontanels closes and sutures replace them
(synarthrotic)
c. Gomphosis – joint form by the union of a cone-shaped bony process in a bony
socket.
o Tooth fastened to the mandible by a periodontal ligament (synarthrotic)
CARTILAGINOUS JOINT
Hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage
2 types
a. Synchondrosis- bonds of hyaline cartilage unites the bones
o Example: part of an immature long bones where the hyaline
cartilage(epiphysial plate) connects an epiphysis to diaphysis
o The bond participates in bone lengthening when ossification completes –
the epiphysial plate becomes epiphysial line and usually at or before age
25 (synarthrotic)
b. Articular surfaces of the bones at the symphysis
o Covered by hyaline cartilage/fibrocartilage
o Limited movement – occurs when forces compresses the fibrocartilage
pad
o Symphysis pubis – hormonal effects during pregnancy
o Baby passes through the birth canal
The joints formed by two adjacent
vertebrae

Intervertebral disk – bond of

fibrocartilage helps equalize pressure
between vertebrae
• Absorb shocks when the body moves
• Each disk is slightly flexible
• Vertebral column allows us to bend forward
or side or twist (amphiarthrotic)
SYNOVIAL JOINT
• Most joints are synovial – allows free movements (diarthrotic)
▪ Articular cartilage
▪ Joint capsule
▪ Synovial membrane – synovial fluid
▪ Synovial joint – covered with hyaline cartilage
• These articular cartilage resists wear and tear and minimizes friction as the
joint moves
• A joint capsule holds together the bones of a synovial joint
• Dense connective tissue – outer layer attaches to the periosteum around the
circumference of each bone or the joint near the articular end.
• It is flexible, permit movement, strong enough to prevent bones from being
pulled apart.
• Tough collagen fibers – ligament reinforces the joint capsule
• This prevent excessive movement at the joint
• Inner layer of joint capsuled – lined with loose connective tissue called
synovial membrane
• Synovial membrane surround the synovial cavity-- synovial membrane
secretes a clear fluid – synovial fluid
• It lubricates the cartilaginous surface of the joint (volume 0.5mL)
• Joint inflammation, sample of synovial fluid can be aspirated
(arthrocentesis)
• Bloody fluid – trauma
• Cloudy, yellowish – rheumatoid arthritis
• Crystals – gout
• Red tinged and containing pus – bacterial infection
• Some synovial joints are partially or
completely divided into two compartments
by a fibrocartilage called meniscus.
• Fluid filled sacks called bursae are associated
with some synovial joints. It contains
synovial fluid commonly located between
the skin and underlying boney prominences
– patella of the knee, olecranon process of
the elbow.
 • Types of Synovial Joints
1. Ball-and-socket – spheroidal joint
o Wider range of motion – hip, shoulder
2. Condylar – ellipsoidal joint
o Permits back and forth, side to side, but not rotation
3. Plane joints – gliding joint
o Sliding movement, back and forth, twisting movement – wrist and ankle
4. Hinge joint – allows movement in one plane
o Elbow and phalanges
5. Pivot joints – trochoid joint
o Rotational movement around an axis - neck
6. Saddle joint – sellar joint
o Between the carpal (trapezium) and the metacarpal of the thumb
• Examples of Synovial joints
• Shoulder
• Elbow
• Hip
• Knee
TYPES OF JOINT MOVEMENT

Flexion – angle Extension – angle Hyperextension – Dorsi flexion –

between two joints or between two joints or extension of the parts movement of the ankle
two parts decreases two parts increases at a joint beyond the that brings the foot
(moving closer) (moving farther) anatomical position closer to the shin.

Plantar flexion –
Abduction – moving a Adduction – moving a
movement of the ankle Rotation – moving a
part away from the part towards the
that brings the foot part around an axis.
midline. midline
farther from the shin

Circumduction – Supination – rotation

moving a part that of the forearm so
follows a circular path. palm is upward.
11. Pronation – rotation of the forearm so the palm is
downward
12. Eversion - turning the foot so the plantar surface
faces laterally
13. Inversion – turning the foot so the plantar surface
faces medially
14. Protraction – moving a part forward (thrusting
the head forward)
15. Retraction – moving a joint backward (pulling the
hear backward)
16. Elevation – raising a part (shrugging the
shoulders)
17. Depression – lowering a part(dropping the
shoulders)
 • Joint stiffness is an early sign of aging
• First step each morning becomes difficult

LIFE-SPAN • Changes in collagen structure – stiffness

• Range of motion diminishes
CHANGES • Ligaments decreases in elasticity
• Loss of height in the elderly – slight collapse of the disk
• Loss of function in synovial joints progresses – stiffening and
loss of elasticity
• Motion range is affected
• Loss of balance – results to falls and slips
• Bones becomes porous and fragile and can easily fracture
SUMMARY
To end today’s lesson, let us summarize some
important key points and concepts:
1. Joints are classified according to the
structure and functions.
2. Thera are six types of synovial joints.
3. Muscles acting at synovial joints produce
movements in different directions and in
different planes.
4. Joint stiffness is often the earliest sign of
aging.
LEARNING ACTIVITIES
As part of your learning activity, create your own
video demonstrating the different joint movements.
Your video presentation must be accompanied by an
audio explanation.
NEXT LESSON
Lesson 10: Muscular System
ASSESSMENT
As part of cumulative assessment
Lesson 8 & 9) will be included in the
prelim examination. The test can be
availed on
(-Date-) at (-time-)
REFERENCES / RESOURCES
• Shier, David, et al. Hole’s Human Anatomy and Physiology, 14th ed.
McGrow Hill Education. 2016
• Any textbook in Anatomy and Physiology