Human Anatomy: Joint Types Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which joint type allows for movement in two axes, specifically back-and-forth and side-to-side?

Ball-and-socket joints

Saddle joints

Condylar joints (correct)

Hinge joints

Which joint type is characterized by a spherical articulating head fitting into a rounded socket, allowing multiaxial movement?

Condylar joints

Hinge joints

Saddle joints

Ball-and-socket joints (correct)

What is an example of a saddle joint that allows for greater movement compared to condylar or hinge joints?

Glenohumeral joint

Metacarpophalangeal joint

Coxal joint

Carpometacarpal joint of the thumb (correct)

What specific type of movement can be performed at the metacarpophalangeal joints of the fingers?

Flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction Signup and view all the answers

Which joint is NOT classified as a condylar joint?

Carpometacarpal joint of the thumb Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes a plane joint?

It allows limited side-to-side movement in a single plane. Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining feature of a hinge joint?

It allows movement in a single axis similar to a door hinge. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a pivot joint?

Proximal radioulnar joint Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic distinguishes a pivot joint from other joint types?

It involves a bone rotating on its longitudinal axis. Signup and view all the answers

Which feature is NOT associated with hinge joints?

Possibility of lateral movement Signup and view all the answers

Which type of motion maintains the angle between bones without changing it?

Gliding motion Signup and view all the answers

What type of joint primarily exhibits gliding motion?

Plane joint Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of angular motion?

Gliding Signup and view all the answers

In which movement does a joint decrease the angle between two bones?

Flexion Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following combinations are primarily associated with angular motion at synovial joints?

Abduction and adduction Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of circumduction?

The proximal end remains relatively stationary while the distal end makes a circular motion. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following joints is capable of circumduction?

The glenohumeral joint Signup and view all the answers

Which sequence of movements best describes how circumduction occurs?

Flexion, abduction, extension, adduction Signup and view all the answers

What shape does the movement of circumduction resemble?

An imaginary cone Signup and view all the answers

In the demonstration of circumduction, which part remains stationary?

The proximal end of the appendage Signup and view all the answers

How does the tip of the imaginary cone relate to circumduction?

It is the stationary joint of the appendage. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary distinction between flexion and extension in anatomical movements?

Flexion decreases the angle between bones, whereas extension increases it. Signup and view all the answers

Circumduction can be described as a combination of which four movements?

Flexion, abduction, extension, and adduction Signup and view all the answers

What movement does NOT occur as part of circumduction?

Pronation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the movement of lateral flexion?

Bending the trunk laterally away from the midline. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding hyperextension?

It can occur in highly mobile joints or following an injury. Signup and view all the answers

In what anatomical plane does flexion primarily occur?

Anterior-posterior plane Signup and view all the answers

Which example illustrates the concept of extension?

Opening the fingers after making a fist. Signup and view all the answers

What would NOT be considered an example of flexion?

Raising the arm straight out to the side. Signup and view all the answers

How does lateral flexion differ from traditional flexion?

Lateral flexion involves movement in the frontal plane, whereas flexion occurs in the sagittal plane. Signup and view all the answers

What does abduction specifically involve when considering the movement of a body part?

Moving away from the body's midline Signup and view all the answers

Which joint types are primarily associated with the movements of abduction and adduction?

Any joint capable of lateral movement Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes adduction?

Bringing the leg back toward the body midline Signup and view all the answers

What is another term for the abduction movement involving the wrist?

Radial deviation Signup and view all the answers

Spreading the fingers apart is an example of which type of movement?

Abduction Signup and view all the answers

In which situation would you be practicing adduction?

Bringing your thigh back to the midline after it was lifted away Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary movement occurring at the glenohumeral joint during adduction?

Movement toward the body's midline Signup and view all the answers

What does the term radial deviation refer to?

The abduction of the wrist Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following pairs of movements are direct opposites?

Abduction and adduction Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Plane Joint

Also known as planar or gliding joint.
Simplest synovial articulation and the least mobile type of diarthrosis.
Allows only limited side-to-side movements in a single plane.
No rotational or angular movement.
Articulating surfaces of the bones are flat or planar.
Examples: Intercarpal joints, Intertarsal joints

Hinge Joint

Convex surface of one bone fits into a concave depression on the other.
Movement is confined to a single axis (e.g., similar to a door hinge).
Example: Elbow joint (trochlear notch of the ulna fits into the trochlea of the humerus).
Movement: Forearm can be moved only anteriorly toward the arm or posteriorly away from it.
Other examples: Knee joint, Interphalangeal joints (fingers)

Pivot Joint

Uniaxial joint where one bone with a rounded surface fits into a ring formed by a ligament and another bone.
One bone rotates on its longitudinal axis relative to the second bone.
Example: Proximal radioulnar joint (rounded head of the radius pivots along the ulna, allowing the radius to rotate), Atlantoaxial joint (between the first two cervical vertebrae).

Condylar Joints

Also called condyloid or ellipsoid joints.
Biaxial joints with an oval, convex surface on one bone that articulates with a concave articular surface on another.
Movement: Can move in two axes: back-and-forth and side-to-side.
Examples: The metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints of fingers 2 through 5, commonly referred to as knuckles.
Functionality: Allows you to flex and extend the fingers at this joint (first axis of movement) and move fingers apart and bring them closer together (second axis of movement).

Saddle Joints

Named for the shape of the articulating surfaces which resemble a saddle.
Allows greater movement than either condylar or hinge joints.
Example: The carpometacarpal joint of the thumb (between the trapezium and the first metacarpal).
Functionality: Permits the thumb to move toward the other fingers to grasp objects.

Ball-and-Socket Joints

Multiaxial joints in which a spherical articulating head of one bone fits into the rounded, cup-like socket of another bone.
Examples: Coxal (hip) joints, Glenohumeral (shoulder) joints.
Functionality: Permits movement in three planes.

Gliding Motion

Simple movement in which two opposing surfaces slide slightly back-and-forth or side-to-side with respect to one another.
The angle between the bones does not change.
Only limited movement is possible in any direction.
Occurs along plane joints (such as between the carpals or the tarsals).

Angular Motion

Either decreases or increases the angle between two bones.
Occurs at many synovial joints.
Types: Flexion and extension, Lateral flexion, Abduction and adduction, Circumduction

Flexion

Movement in an anterior-posterior (AP) plane that decreases the angle between bones.
Examples: Bending fingers toward the palm to make a fist, Bending the forearm toward the arm at the elbow, Flexing the shoulder when the arm is raised anteriorly, Flexing the neck when the head is bent anteriorly.

Extension

Movement in the AP plane that increases the angle between articulating bones.
Straightening action occurring in an AP plane.
Examples: Straightening fingers after making a clenched fist, Straightening the arm from the elbow.

Hyperextension

Extension of a joint beyond its normal range of motion.
May occur in individuals with extensively mobile joints or following joint injury.

Lateral Flexion

Movement of the trunk in a coronal plane laterally away from the body.
Occurs primarily between the vertebrae in cervical and lumbar regions of the vertebral column.

Abduction

Lateral movement of a body part away from the body midline.
Examples: Arm or thigh moved laterally away from the body midline, Fingers or toes spread apart, Wrist abduction (radial deviation) points hand and fingers laterally, away from the body.

Adduction

Medial movement of a body part toward the body midline.
Examples: Arm or thigh brought back toward the body midline, Digits brought toward the midline of the hand, Wrist adduction (ulnar deviation) points hand and fingers medially, toward the body.

Circumduction

Sequence of movements in which the proximal end of an appendage remains relatively stationary while the distal end makes a circular motion.
Results in an imaginary cone shape.
Demonstrated by drawing a circle on the blackboard (shoulder remains stationary while the hand moves).
Complex movement that involves a continuous sequence of flexion, abduction, extension, and adduction.

Rotational Motion

Pivoting motion where a bone turns on its own longitudinal axis.
Occurs at the atlantoaxial joint (pivots when you rotate your head to gesture "no").
Limb rotations can be described as either away from or toward the median plane.

Lateral Rotation (or External Rotation)

Turns the anterior surface of the femur or humerus laterally.

Medial Rotation (or Internal Rotation)

Turns the anterior surface of the femur or humerus medially.

Pronation

Medial rotation of the forearm, directing the palm of the hand posteriorly or inferiorly.
Involves crossing the radius and ulna to form an X.

Special Movements

Movements specific to certain joints and don't readily fit into functional categories.
Include depression, elevation, dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, eversion, inversion, protraction and retraction, opposition and reposition.

Depression

Inferior movement of a part of the body.
Examples: Opening the mouth (by depressing the mandible), Movement of shoulders in an inferior direction.

Elevation

Superior movement of a body part.
Examples: Superior movement of the mandible while closing the mouth, Movement of the shoulders in a superior direction (shrugging shoulders).

Dorsiflexion

Movement that bends the foot upward at the ankle.
Occurs when the toes are pointed up toward the shin.

Plantar Flexion

Movement at the ankle that points the toes downward.
Occurs when you stand on your tiptoes.

Eversion

The sole of the foot turns to face laterally or outward.

Inversion

The sole of the foot turns medially or inward.

Protraction

Anterior movement of a body part from anatomic position.
Example: Jutting your jaw anteriorly at the temporomandibular joint.

Retraction

Posteriorly directed movement of a body part from the anatomic position.

Opposition

Movement at the carpometacarpal joint where the thumb moves toward the palmar tips of the fingers.
Enables the hand to grasp objects.

Reposition

The opposite movement of opposition.

Levers

Elongated, rigid object that rotates around a fixed point called the fulcrum.
Alter the speed and distance of movement produced by a force, the direction of an applied force, and the force strength.
Movement occurs when an effort applied to one point on the lever exceeds a resistance located at some other point.

Effort arm

Part of a lever from the fulcrum to the point of effort.

Resistance arm

The lever part from the fulcrum to the point of resistance.

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Description

Explore the different types of joints in the human body including plane, hinge, and pivot joints. Learn about their structural characteristics and movement capabilities through this quiz. Understand how these joints function and their examples in daily life.