Anatomy and Stability of Joints

Study Notes

Definition: Ligamentous stability refers to the ability of ligaments to provide stability to a joint by limiting excessive movement and maintaining joint congruency.
Functions:
- Resist excessive joint movement
- Maintain joint alignment
- Provide proprioceptive feedback
Types of Ligamentous Stability:
- Static stability: Provided by ligaments that are taut in a specific joint position.
- Dynamic stability: Provided by ligaments that become taut as the joint moves through a range of motion.

Joint Components:
- Articular cartilage: Hyaline cartilage that covers the ends of bones in a joint.
- Synovial membrane: A layer of connective tissue that lines the joint capsule and produces synovial fluid.
- Joint capsule: A fibrous sac that surrounds the joint and attaches to the bones.
- Ligaments: Fibrous connective tissue that connects bones and provides stability.
Types of Joints:
- Synovial joints: Freely movable joints with a space between the bones (e.g., shoulder, elbow, knee).
- Cartilaginous joints: Joints connected by cartilage (e.g., spine, ribcage).
- Fibrous joints: Joints connected by fibrous connective tissue (e.g., skull bones).
Joint Classifications:
- Monaxial: One degree of freedom (e.g., hinge joints like the elbow).
- Biaxial: Two degrees of freedom (e.g., condyloid joints like the wrist).
- Triaxial: Three degrees of freedom (e.g., ball-and-socket joints like the shoulder).