Joint Structure and Function Basics

Arthrology is the study of the classification, structure, and function of muscles.

Understanding the classification, structure, and function of joints is not important in the study of kinesiology.

Detailed information about joint impairments is not required for effective rehabilitation of persons with joint dysfunction.

Joint design and material selection are solely based on the function of the joint.

Joints designed for stability will have the same design as those designed for mobility.

The complexity of joint design increases as functional demands decrease.

Synarthroses joints allow significant movement between bones.

Arthrokinematics and osteokinematics are key objectives in the study of joint function.

Passive ROM involves the maximum force exerted by the flexors at the end range of motion.

Degrees of freedom in anatomy refer to the number of independent movements allowed at a joint.

During an impure swing in osteokinematics, the movement is restricted to back and forth rotation around a fixed pivot point.

Side-to-side translation is an example of angular motion in osteokinematics.

External force applied by a therapist can be used to assess the amount of maximal joint play.

The physiological barrier in anatomy refers to the middle range of motion.

Spin in osteokinematics involves rotation around a joint axis.

The loose-packed position provides more natural structural stability compared to the resting position.

A saddle joint has paired convex and convex surfaces oriented at ~90° to each other.

Synovial fluid is always associated with diarthrodial joints.

Articular capsule is part of the elements always associated with joints.

Blood vessels are sometimes associated with diarthrodial joints.

Osteokinematics describes the motion of bones relative to the three cardinal planes of the body.

Joint play is required to ensure articular surfaces can slide freely in the direction of desired movement.

Intraarticular discs are always associated with diarthrodial joints.

Synovial plicae decrease the synovial surface area of joints.

Soft tissue approximation is the end feel for elbow extension.

Muscle spasm is considered a normal end feel during joint examination.

Type I collagen fibers compose ligaments, tendons, and fibrocartilage.

Spasticity is associated with damage to lower motor neurons.

Empty end feel is a normal end feel during passive range of motion testing.

The concept of kinematic chains is useful for analyzing human motion only.

Ground substance is one of the biologic materials that form periarticular connective tissues.

Tissue stretch is the end feel for finger extension.

Type II fibers are thicker and stiffer than type I fibers.

Elastin fibers provide a flexible woven framework for maintaining the shape of structures like hyaline cartilage.

Tissues with a high proportion of elastin struggle to return to their original shape.

Collagen and elastin fibers are embedded in a dry matrix known as ground substance.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are positively charged and repel water.

Water assists in the diffusion of nutrients within the tissue.

Cells in periarticular connective tissues do not synthesize specialized ground substance and fibrous proteins unique to the tissue.

Cells in periarticular connective tissues confer significant mechanical properties on the tissue, similar to skeletal muscle cells.