Joint Classifications Quiz

Immovable joints, common in the axial skeleton.

Slightly movable joints, common in the axial skeleton.

Freely movable joints.

Bones connected by fibrous connective tissue.

Bones connected by cartilage.

Bones connected by a synovial membrane; have a joint cavity.

Immovable fibrous joint with short fibers connecting bones, like the skull.

Slightly movable fibrous joint with long fibers connecting bones, like radius and ulna.

A cartilaginous joint where hyaline cartilage connects bones.

A cartilaginous joint where fibrocartilage unites bones.

Freely movable joints, classified by their specific movements based on the structure.

A synovial joint with flat articular surfaces allowing gliding movements.

A synovial joint allowing angular movement in one plane (like opening and closing a door).

A synovial joint allowing only rotational movement on a single axis.

A biaxial synovial joint allowing movement in two planes (flex/ext, abduction/adduction).

A biaxial synovial joint allowing greater movement than a condylar joint, like the thumb.

A synovial joint allowing the greatest range of motion in all directions.

Stability and the range of motion are inversely related in joints.

A ball and socket joint where the head of the humerus fits into the glenoid fossa, allowing for a wide range of motion but less stability.

The shoulder joint is the most freely movable joint, but has a thin and loose articular capsule and fewer strong stabilizing ligaments compared to the hip joint.

A small sac filled with synovial fluid found where tendons or ligaments rub against each other, reducing friction and shock absorption.

A tube filled with synovial fluid that surrounds tendons, allowing smooth movement of a tendon relative to its bone.

A combination of a hinge joint (humero-ulnar) and a pivot joint (radio-ulnar) allowing for flexion/extension and rotation respectively.

A ring-shaped ligament that holds the head of the radius in the proximal radio-ulnar joint, allowing for supination and pronation.

A ligament that connects the lateral epicondyle of the humerus to the radius and ulna, providing stability to the elbow joint.

A ligament that connects the medial epicondyle of the humerus to the head of the ulna, providing stability on the inner side of the elbow.

The elbow joint is relatively stable due to its hinge structure and strong ligaments. It is less prone to dislocation than other joints like the shoulder.

The hip joint is a ball-and-socket joint where the head of the femur (ball) fits into the acetabulum (socket) of the hip bone. This structure provides a wide range of motion and great stability.

The hip joint's stability is further reinforced by strong ligaments, including the iliofemoral, pubofemoral, and ischiofemoral ligaments.

The knee joint is the most complex joint in the body due to its intricate structure, including ligaments, menisci, and cartilage. It must provide both flexibility and stability for weight-bearing.

The knee joint contains two C-shaped fibrocartilage menisci that act as shock absorbers and improve joint stability.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) are located inside the knee joint and help control forward and backward movements.

Injuries to the knee joint are common, particularly to the ligaments and menisci, often due to rotational forces during sports.

Ligaments in the knee have a limited blood supply, meaning they heal slowly. Meniscus tears are often not repairable, requiring surgery to remove the torn parts.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by wear and tear of the hyaline cartilage, most commonly affecting weight-bearing joints like the knee and hip.

Joint replacement surgery is a common treatment for severe osteoarthritis when the cartilage is completely gone. This involves replacing the damaged joint with an artificial one.

The Greek root "arthro" means joint.

The 3 types of fibrous joints are sutures, syndesmosis, and gomphosis.

Examples of synchondroses include the costochondral joints (ribs to sternum) and epiphyseal plates in growing bones.

Examples of symphyses include the intervertebral discs and symphysis pubis.

Amphiarthroses are slightly movable joints, like syndesmosis and symphyses.

An immovable joint, also known as a fibrous or cartilaginous joint. These joints offer stability and are prevalent in the axial skeleton.

A freely movable joint, also known as a synovial joint. These joints allow for a wide range of motion and are found in the limbs.

Synovial joints are characterized by a fluid-filled joint cavity, articular cartilage, an articular capsule (fibrous and synovial membrane), synovial fluid, and reinforcing ligaments.

Synovial fluid acts as a lubricant, reducing friction between bones, and provides shock absorption within the joint.

Gliding involves one bone sliding across another's surface without changing the angle between them.

Angular movements change the angle between bones. Types include flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, and circumduction.

Rotation refers to movement around a bone's long axis. It's a turning or twisting motion.

Plane joints have flat articular surfaces, allowing for gliding movements. Examples: intercarpal, intertarsal, acromioclavicular.

A common injury where the head of the radius pops out of the annular ligament, often caused by pulling on the arm.

The knee joint contains two C-shaped fibrocartilage menisci that act as shock absorbers and improve joint stability.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) are located inside the knee joint and help control forward and backward movements.

Injuries to the knee joint are common, particularly to the ligaments and menisci, often due to rotational forces during sports.