Classification of Joints Quiz

Classification of Joints

• Articulation - where bones or bone and cartilage meet.
• Structural Classification - based on connecting tissue:
  • Fibrous - connected by fibrous connective tissue.
  • Cartilaginous - connected by cartilage.
  • Synovial - bones contact within a fluid-filled cavity.
• Functional Classification - based on mobility:
  • Synarthrosis - immobile or nearly immobile.
  • Amphiarthrosis - limited mobility, cartilaginous joints
  • Diarthrosis - freely mobile, synovial joints.
    • Uniaxial - one plane of motion.
    • Biaxial - two planes of motion.
    • Multiaxial - several directions of motion.

Fibrous Joints

• Ligament - strong band of fibrous connective tissue connecting bones.
• Suture - immobile joint in skull, strong protection for brain and face.
• Fontanelle - areas of wider connective tissue in skull, allowing flexibility during birth.
• Synostosis - ossified connective tissue in skull.
• Syndesmosis - two parallel bones united by fibrous connective tissue, minimal movement.
• Gomphosis - anchors tooth root to bony socket, immobile.

Cartilaginous Joints

• Synchondrosis - bones joined by hyaline cartilage, no movement between bones or cartilage.
  • Temporary - epiphyseal plate.
  • Permanent - uniting ribs to sternum.

Synovial Joints

• Most common type of joint.
• Fluid-filled joint cavity.
• Increased mobility.
• Articular Capsule - fibrous connective tissue surrounding the joint.
• Articular Cartilage - hyaline cartilage covering articulating surfaces, reduces friction.
• Synovial Membrane - lining of capsule, secretes synovial fluid for lubrication.
• Ligaments - support the joint, limit movement.
  • Extrinsic - outside the capsule.
  • Intrinsic - incorporated into the capsule.
  • Intracapsular - inside the capsule.
• Tendon - connective tissue attaching muscle to bone, provides additional support.
• Articular Disc - found in some joints, between articulating bones.
  • Articular Disc - small and oval.
  • Meniscus - larger and c-shaped.
• Bursa - fluid-filled connective tissue sac for cushioning.
  • Subcutaneous - between skin and bone.
  • Submuscular - between muscle and bone.
  • Subtendinous - between tendon and bone.

Types of Synovial Joints

• Pivot Joint - rounded bone fits into a ring formed by another bone and ligament, allows rotation.
  • Example - Atlantoaxial joint.
• Hinge Joint - convex end of one bone fits into a concave end of another, allows bending and straightening.
  • Example - knee, ankle, elbow, and interphalangeal joints.
• Condyloid Joint - shallow depression at the end of one bone fits a rounded structure on another bone, allows bending/straightening and side-to-side movement.
  • Example - Knuckle joints, radiocarpal joint.
• Saddle Joint - both articulating surfaces have a saddle shape, allowing two directions of motion.
  • Example - carpometacarpal (thumb).
• Plane Joint - articulating surfaces are flat, allowing sliding and limited movement.
  • Example - between carpal bones and tarsal bones
• Ball and Socket Joint - greatest range of motion, rounded head fits into concave articulation.
  • Example - hip and shoulder joints.

Types of Body Movements

• Flexion and Extension - movements along the sagittal plane (forward and backward).
• Lateral Flexion - bending neck to the side.
• Abduction and Adduction - movements along coronal plane (medial-lateral).
• Circumduction - circular movement of a body part.
• Rotation - twisting movement.
  • Medial Rotation - anterior surface of a limb moves toward midline.
  • Lateral Rotation - anterior surface of limb moves away from midline.
• Supination and Pronation - movements of the hand.
  • Supination - palm faces forward.
  • Pronation - palm faces backward.
• Dorsiflexion and Plantar Flexion - movements at the ankle.
  • Dorsiflexion - lifting the foot toward the shin.
  • Plantar Flexion - pointing the toes downward.
• Inversion and Eversion - movements at the subtalar joint (ankle).
  • Inversion - turning the sole of the foot inward.
  • Eversion - turning the sole of the foot outward.
• Protraction and Retraction - movements of the scapula or mandible.
  • Protraction - movement forward.
  • Retraction - movement backward.
• Depression and Elevation - upward and downward movements of the scapula or mandible.
• Excursion - side-to-side movement of the mandible.
  • Lateral - moving mandible away from midline.
  • Medial - moving mandible toward midline.
• Superior and Inferior Rotation - movements of the scapula.
  • Superior Rotation - glenoid cavity moves upward.
  • Inferior Rotation - glenoid cavity moves downward.
• Opposition - thumb movement bringing its tip in contact with other fingers.
• Reposition - returning thumb to anatomical position.

Vertebral Column

• Zygapophyseal Joints - synovial joints between vertebrae, allowing limited motion.
• Atlanto-Occipital Joint - between atlas and occipital condyles of skull, allows head flexion and extension.
• Atlantoaxial Joint - between atlas and axis, allows head rotation.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

• Articulation - between mandibular fossa and articular tubercle of temporal bone, and the condyle of the mandible.
• Allows:
  • Mandibular Depression (opening mouth).
  • Mandibular Elevation (closing mouth).
  • Protraction/Retraction (side-to-side movement).

Hip Joint

• Ligament of the head of the femur - inside the capsule, provides a pathway for the artery to the femoral head.

Knee Joint

• Largest joint in the body.
• Three articulations - femoropatellar, medial tibiofemoral, and lateral tibiofemoral joints.
• Hinge Joint - allows rolling and gliding motions between the femur and tibia.
• Femoropatellar Joint - patella slides in a groove on the femur.
  • Patellar Ligament - from patella to the tibia.
• Articular Discs - fibrocartilage attached to the tibia.
  • Lateral Meniscus
  • Medial Meniscus
• Ligaments - provide support:
  • Extrinsic - outside the capsule (fibular collateral and tibial collateral).
  • Intrinsic - inside the capsule (anterior and posterior cruciate).

Ankle and Foot Joints

• Talocrural Joint (ankle) - articulation between talus and the distal ends of tibia and fibula.
• Subtalar Joint - between talus and calcaneus bones.
• Talocrural Ligaments - connect malleoli to the talus and calcaneus.
  • Deltoid Ligament - medial side.
  • Lateral Ligaments - anterior talofibular, posterior talofibular, and calcaneofibular (lateral side).

Test your knowledge on the classification of joints, including their structural and functional types. This quiz covers the characteristics of fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial joints along with their mobility classifications. Get ready to identify the features of various types of joints in the human body.