Human Anatomy: Joints and Articulations

79 Questions

What is the main function of synovial joints in the human body?

To provide flexibility for gross movement

What type of joints are found in the upper limbs?

Freely movable joints

What is the term for joints that are connected by cartilage?

Cartilaginous joints

How many joints are found in the human body?

496

What is the term for the movement of raising arms above the head in the frontal plane?

Abduction

What is the primary function of fibrous connective tissue in joints?

To hold bones together

What type of tissue connects muscle to bone?

Tendons

What is the term for joints that are immovable?

Synarthroses

What is the term for the inflammation of the bursa?

Bursitis

What type of joint is the shoulder joint an example of?

Ball and socket joint

What is the term for the returning of arms to the side in the frontal plane?

Adduction

What is the term for the fibrous sac that holds synovial fluid and reduces friction between muscles, tendons, and bones?

Bursa

Which of the following types of synovial joints has the most instability due to its shape?

Ball & Socket joints

What is the primary function of the ligaments in synovial joints?

To hold the bones together in the correct position

What is the main component of synovial fluid that provides lubrication?

Hyaluronic acid

Which of the following types of synovial joints has only one range of movement?

Hinge joints

What is the thickness of the articular cartilage that covers each bone in a synovial joint?

2 mm

Which of the following types of synovial joints is characterized by a multi-directional range of movement?

Ball & Socket joints

Which movement involves lifting a body part in the frontal plane?

Elevation

What is the term for moving a body part backward in a transverse or horizontal direction?

Retraction

Which movement decreases the joint angle?

Flexion

What is the term for moving beyond the zero position of a joint?

Hyperextension

Which movement involves one end of a joint remaining stationary, while the other end makes a circular motion?

Circumduction

What is the term for returning to the anatomical position from an elevated position?

Depression

What is the term for tilting the hand towards the thumb?

Radial flexion

What is the term for bending the thumb towards the palm of the hand?

Flexion

What is the term for pointing the toes upwards?

Dorsiflection

What is the term for turning the plantar surface towards the median?

Inversion

What is the joint between the clavicle and acromion?

Acromial-clavicular joint

What is the term for spreading the fingers apart?

Abduction

What is the result of cranial sutures becoming ossified?

Immobile joints in the skull

Which type of joint is characterized by dense connective tissue?

Fibrous joint

What is the function of the periodontal ligament?

Holding teeth in place

What is the term for the 'joint' that forms when two bones fuse together?

Synostosis

What type of joint is formed when the growth plate fuses in long bones?

Synostosis

What is the term for the 'joint' found only in the mouth where teeth attach to bone?

Gomphosis

What type of joint is characteristic of the tibia and fibula at the distal end?

Syndesmosis

What type of joint is formed when bone is bound by hyaline cartilage?

Synchondrosis

What is the term for lifting a body part in the frontal plane?

Elevation

What is the term for moving a body part forward in a transverse or horizontal direction?

Protraction

What is the function of the sternocostal joints?

To enable thoracic wall mobility

What region of a long bone in a child is responsible for growth?

Physis

What type of joint is the joint between the first rib and the sternum?

Synchondrosis

What is the term for a joint where bones are joined by fibrocartilage?

Symphysis

In which plane does elevation occur?

Frontal or coronal plane

What is the purpose of the ligaments in a synovial joint?

To hold the bones in the correct position

What is the primary function of the articular cartilage in a synovial joint?

To reduce friction between bones

What is the function of the synovial membrane in a synovial joint?

To produce synovial fluid

What is the characteristic of Ball & Socket joints?

They have a multi-directional range of movement

What is the characteristic of Hinge joints?

They have a single range of movement

What is the component of synovial fluid that provides lubrication?

Hyaluronic acid

Which joint type is characterized by the presence of a single synovial joint capsule enclosing two joints?

Complex joint

What is the significance of the radio-ulnar joint in the forearm?

It permits the forearm rotation

What is the term for the accumulation of synovial fluid in the bursa, often due to chronic or acute irritation?

Bursitis

Which type of joints are found in the hand and wrist?

Saddle, gliding, and condyloid joints

What is the term for a muscle or tendon tear?

Strain

What is the term for the joint between the coxal bone and the femur?

Hip joint

What is the primary function of joints in the human body?

To allow the skeleton some flexibility for gross movement

What is the name of the joints that are immovable?

Synarthroses

What type of joints involve spinning of one bone on another?

Pivot joints

What is characteristic of Condyloid joints?

Two ranges of motion, including sagittal and frontal planes

What type of joints have characteristics of multiple joint types?

Complex joints

What is the function of the articular disc in some joints?

To reduce friction between bones

What type of joints are characterized by two bones with concave and convex surfaces?

Saddle joints

What type of joints involve the sliding of bone surfaces?

Gliding joints

What is the movement of the forearm when the palm faces posterior or dorsal?

Pronation

What is the term for bending the fingers towards the palm of the hand?

Flexion

What is the movement of the ankle when the toes are lifted up?

Dorsiflection

What is the term for bringing the thumb towards the index finger?

Abduction

What is the term for the joint that connects the scapula to the thorax?

Acromial-clavicular joint

What is the term for turning the plantar surface laterally?

Eversion

What is the primary function of tendons in synovial joints?

To hold muscle to bone

What is the term for the joint that allows for abduction, flexion, and rotation?

Ball and socket joint

What is the purpose of the bursa in synovial joints?

To reduce friction between muscles, tendons, and bones

What is the term for the movement of returning arms to the side?

Adduction

What type of connective tissue holds bone to bone in synovial joints?

Collagen-based connective tissue

What is the significance of the radio-ulnar joint in the forearm?

It permits rotation of the forearm

What is the term for the joint that is actually two joints in one area?

Complex joint

What are the three joints in the elbow area?

Humero-ulnar, humero-radial, and radio-ulnar joints

Study Notes

Joints and Their Classification

Joints are classified into three main categories: fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial joints
Fibrous joints are held together by fibrous connective tissue, e.g., skull sutures
Cartilaginous joints are held together by cartilage, e.g., costal cartilages and sternum
Synovial joints are complex structures with cartilage and cavities, e.g., shoulder, elbow, and knee joints

Types of Synovial Joints

Ball and socket joints: allow for multi-directional movement, e.g., shoulder and hip joints
Hinge joints: allow for one plane of movement, e.g., elbow and knee joints
Pivot joints: allow for rotation around a single axis, e.g., forearm and vertebral column
Saddle joints: allow for two planes of movement, e.g., thumb and sternum/clavicle joints
Condyloid joints: allow for two planes of movement, e.g., fingers and wrist joints
Gliding joints: allow for limited movement, e.g., carpal bones and patella-femur joints

Movements of Synovial Joints

Flexion: decreasing joint angle, e.g., bending elbow or knee
Extension: increasing joint angle, e.g., straightening elbow or knee
Hyperextension: moving beyond the zero position, e.g., straightening knee beyond 180°
Abduction: moving away from the midline of the body, e.g., raising arm or leg to the side
Adduction: moving towards the midline of the body, e.g., lowering arm or leg back to the midline
Circumduction: moving in a circular motion, e.g., drawing a circle with the arm or leg
Rotation: turning around a single axis, e.g., rotating the head or forearm
Supination: turning the palm upwards, e.g., turning the forearm to face upwards
Pronation: turning the palm downwards, e.g., turning the forearm to face downwards
Opposition: bringing the thumb and fingers together, e.g., grasping with the hand
Reposition: returning to the zero position from opposition, e.g., releasing the grasp

Specific Joints and Their Movements

Shoulder joint: allows for abduction, adduction, flexion, extension, rotation, and circumduction
Elbow joint: allows for flexion and extension
Forearm joints: allow for supination and pronation
Wrist joints: allow for flexion, extension, radial flexion, ulnar flexion, and circumduction
Hand joints: allow for flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction of fingers
Thumb joints: allow for flexion, extension, opposition, and reposition
Ankle joints: allow for dorsiflection, plantar flexion, inversion, and eversion
Foot joints: allow for plantar flexion, dorsiflection, inversion, and eversion

Complex Joints

Humero-scapular joint: a complex joint that allows for multiple movements, including abduction, adduction, flexion, extension, and rotation
Temporo-mandibular joint: a complex joint that allows for lateral and dorsal/ventral movement### Joints and Their Mobility
The temporo-mandibular joint (jaw) is an example of a synovial joint.
The sterno-clavicular joint (collarbones) and distal tibia-fibula joint (ankle) are also synovial joints.

Accessories to Synovial Joints

Tendons: collagen-based connective tissue that hold muscles to bones, providing dynamic stability.
Ligaments: collagen-based connective tissue that hold bones to bones, providing static stability.
Bursa: fibrous "sac" that holds synovial fluid, reducing friction between muscles, tendons, and bones.

Movements of Various Joints

The shoulder joint (ball and socket) is a multiarticulate joint, allowing for:
- Abduction of the arm (moving away from the anatomical position in the frontal plane).
- Flexion of the arm (extending to shake hands or open a door).
- Rotation of the arm (sweeping the desk).
Abduction refers to raising arms above the head, while adduction refers to returning arms to the side.

Complex Joints

The elbow joint is a complex joint consisting of two joints in one area: the humero-ulnar joint and the humero-radial joint, enclosed by a single synovial joint capsule.
The radio-ulnar joint, which permits forearm rotation (supine/prone), is the third joint in the elbow area.

Features of the Hand and Wrist

The hand and wrist comprise a number of different joint types, including saddle, gliding, and condyloid joints.
These joints give the hands and fingers a great deal of mobility.

Other Joints

Costovertebral joints make connections in the spine.
The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint between the coxal bone and femur.

Rheumatoid arthritis: an autoimmune disease.
Osteoarthritis: bone degeneration due to old age.
Bursitis: accumulation of synovial fluid in the bursa due to chronic or acute irritation.
Sprain: ligament tear.
Strain: tendon or muscle tear.

Test your knowledge of human joints and articulations, including the types and numbers of joints in the body, and their functions. Learn about the moveable and non-moveable joints in the upper and lower limbs, and more.

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