Joints

Classification of Joints
Functional classification
(Focuses on amount of movement)
Synarthroses (immovable joints)
Amphiarthroses (slightly movable joints)
Diarthroses (freely movable joints)
Structural classification
(Based on the material binding them and presence or
absence of a joint cavity)
Bony fusion
Fibrous
Cartilagenous
Synovial
Table of Joint Types
Functional across

Structural down
Synarthroses
(immovable joints)
Amphiarthroses
(some movement)
Diarthroses
(freely movable)
Bony Fusion Synostosis
(frontal=metopic
suture; epiphyseal
lines)
Fibrous Suture (skull only)
-fibrous tissue is
continuous with
periosteum


Gomphoses (teeth)
-ligament is
periodontal ligament
Syndesmoses
-ligaments only
between bones; here,
short so some but not
a lot of movement
(example: tib-fib
ligament)
Syndesmoses
-ligament longer
(example: radioulnar
interosseous
membrane)
Cartilagenous
(bone united by
cartilage only)
Synchondroses
-hyaline cartilage
(examples:
manubrium-C1,
epiphyseal plates)
Sympheses
-fibrocartilage
(examples: between
discs, pubic
symphesis
Synovial Are all diarthrotic
Fibrous joints
Bones connected by fibrous tissue: dense
regular connective tissue
No joint cavity
Slightly immovable or
not at all
Types
Sutures
Syndesmoses
Gomphoses
Sutures
Only between
bones of skull
Fibrous tissue
continuous with
periosteum
Ossify and fuse in
middle age: now
technically called
synostoses=
bony junctions

Syndesmoses
In Greek:
ligament

Bones connected
by ligaments only

Amount of
movement
depends on length
of the fibers: longer
than in sutures


Gomphoses
Is a peg-in-socket

Only example is
tooth with its
socket

Ligament is a short
periodontal
ligament
Cartilagenous joints
Articulating bones united by cartilage
Lack a joint cavity
Not highly movable
Two types
Synchondroses (singular: synchondrosis)
Sympheses (singular: symphesis)
Synchondroses
Literally: junction of cartilage
Hyaline cartilage unites the bones
Immovable (synarthroses)
Examples:
Epiphyseal plates
Joint between first ribs costal cartilage and
manubrium of the sternum
Sympheses
Literally growing together
Fibrocartilage unites the bones
Slightly movable (amphiarthroses)
Resilient shock absorber
Provide strength and flexibility
Hyaline cartilage on articular surfaces of bones
to reduce friction
Examples
Intervertebral discs
Pubic symphysis of the pelvis

Synchondroses and sympheses
Also pubic symphsis
Synovial joints
Include most of the bodys joints

All are diarthroses (freely movable)

All contain fluid-filled joint cavity
General Structure of Synovial Joints
1. Articular cartilage
Hyaline
Spongy cushions absorb
compression
Protects ends of bones
from being crushed

2. Joint (synovial) cavity
Potential space
Small amount of synovial
fluid

General structure of synovial joints (cont.)
3. Articular (or joint) capsule
Two layered
Outer*: fibrous capsule of
dense irregular connective
tissue continuous with
periosteum
Inner*: synovial membrane
of loose connective tissue
(makes synovial fluid)
Lines all internal joint
surfaces not covered by
cartilage*
*
*
*
General structure of synovial joints (cont.)
4. Synovial fluid
Filtrate of blood
Contains special glycoproteins
Nourishes cartilage and
functions as slippery lubricant
Weeping lubricatioin
5. Reinforcing ligaments (some
joints)
Capsular (most) thickened
parts of capsule
Extracapsular
Intracapsular
General structure of synovial joints (cont.)
6. Nerves
Detect pain
Monitor stretch (one of the
ways of sensing posture
and body movements)

7. Blood vessels
Rich blood supply
Extensive capillary beds in
synovial membrane
(produce the blood filtrate)
General structure of synovial joints
Articular disc or
meniscus
(literally crescent)
Only some joints
Those with bone
ends of different
shapes or fitting poorly
Some to allow two kinds of movement (e.g. jaw)
Of fibrocartilage
Examples: knee
TMJ (temporomandibular joint)
sternoclavicular joint
Some joints
Bursae and tendon sheaths
Contain synovial fluid
Not joints but often associated with them
Act like ball bearings
Bursa means purse in Latin
Flattened sac lined by synovial membrane
Where ligaments, muscles, tendons, or bones
overlie each other and rub together
Tendon sheath
Only on tendons subjected to friction
Bursae and tendon sheaths
Joint stability
Articular surfaces
Shape usually plays only minor role
Some deep sockets or grooves do provide stability
Ligaments
Usually the more, the stronger the joint
Can stretch only 6% beyond normal length before
tear
Once stretched, stay stretched
Muscle tone
Constant, low level of contractile force
Keeps tension on the ligaments
Especially important at shoulders, knees, arches of
foot

Movements allowed by synovial joints
Gliding
Angular movements: hor i the angle between
two bones DO TOGETHER
Flexion
Extension
Abduction
Adduction
Circumduction
Rotation
Special movements
Special movements
Pronation
Supination
Dorsiflexion
Plantar flexion
Inversion
Eversion
Protraction
Retraction
Elevation
Depression
Opposition

Joint movements pics
(from Marieb, 4
th
ed.)






Synovial joints
classified by shape
(of their articular surfaces)
Plane (see right)
Hinge (see right)
Pivot
Condyloid
Saddle
Ball-and-socket

Shoulder
(glenohumeral) joint
Stability sacrificed for
mobility
Ball and socket: head of
humerus with glenoid
cavity of scapula
Glenoid labrum: rim of
fibrocartilage
Thin, loose capsule
Strongest ligament:
coracohumeral
Muscle tendons help
stability
Disorders
Selected synovial joints
Rotator cuff muscles add to stability
Biceps tendon is intra-articular
Elbow joint
Hinge: allows only flexion
and extension
Annular ligament of
radius attaches to
capsule
Capsule thickens into:
Radial collateral
ligament
Ulnar collateral
ligament
Muscles cross joint
Trauma

Wrist joint

Two major joint surfaces
Several ligaments stabilize

1. Radiocarpal joint
Between radius and
proximal carpals
(scaphoid and lunate)
Condyloid joint
Flexion extension
adduction, abduction,
circumduction

2. Intercarpal or
midcarpal joint
Between the proximal
and distal rows of
carpals
Hip (coxal) joint
Ball and socket
Moves in all axes but
limited by ligaments
and deep socket
Three ext. ligaments
screw in head of
femur when standing
Iliofemoral
Pubofemoral
Ischiofemoral
Acetabular labrum
diameter smaller than
head of femur
Dislocations rare
Ligament of head of
femur supplies artery
Muscle tendons cross
joint
Hip fractures common
in elderly because of
osteoporosis


Right hip, AP view
Knee joint
Largest and most complex joint
Primarily a hinge
Compound and bicondyloid: femur and
tibia both have 2 condyles
Femoropatellar joint shares joint cavity
At least a dozen bursae
Prepatellar
Suprapatellar
Lateral and medial
menisci
torn cartilage
Capsule absent
anteriorly
Capsular and
extracapsular ligaments
Taut when knee
extended to prevent
hyperextension


Patellar ligament
Continuation of
quad tendon
Medial and lateral
retinacula
Fibular and tibial
collateral ligaments
Called medial and
lateral
Extracapsular
Oblique popliteal
Arcuate popliteal


Cruciate ligaments
Cross each other
(cruciate means cross)
Anterior cruciate (ACL)
Anterior intercondylar area
of tibia to medial side of
lateral condyl of femur
Posterior cruciate
Posterior intercondylar
area of tibia to lateral side
of medial condyl
Restraining straps
Lock the knee
Cruciate ligaments

Knee injuries
Flat tibial surface
predisposes to
horizontal injuries
Lateral blow: multiple
tears
ACL injuries
Stop and twist
Commoner in women
athletes
Heal poorly
Require surgery
Ankle joint
Hinge joint
Distal tibia and fibula to talus
Dorsiflexion and plantar
flexion only
Medial deltoid ligament
Lateral ligaments: 3 bands
Anterior talofibular
Posterior talofibular
Calcaneofibular
Anterior and posterior
tibiofibular (syndesmosis)

Right ankle, lateral view



Temporomandibular
joint (TMJ)
Head of mandible
articulates with temporal
bone
Disc protects thin
mandibular fossa of
temporal bone
Many movements
Demonstrate movements together

Disorders common
Sternoclavicular joint
Saddle joint
Only other example is trapezium
and metacarpal 1 (thumb),
allowing opposion
Sternum and 1
st
costal (rib)
cartilage articulate with clavicle
Very stable: clavicle usually
breaks before dislocation of joint
Only bony attachment of axial
skeleton to pectoral girdle
Demonstrate movements together
Disorders of joints
Injuries
Sprains
Dislocatios
Torn cartilage
Inflammatory and degenerative conditions
Bursitis
Tendinitis
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis (DJD degenerative joint disease)
Rheumatoid arthritis (one of many autoimmune arthritites)
Gout (crystal arthropathy)