Skeletal Joints Overview

Skeletal Joints

• Joints are the areas where two or more bones come together
• Joints are classified by the type of connective tissue connecting them and the amount of movement permitted
• There are three main types of joints: fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial

Fibrous Joints

• Composed of fibrous connective tissue
• Little to no movement
• Examples include sutures in the skull, and syndesmoses (between tibia and fibula)
• Gomphoses hold teeth in their sockets

Cartilaginous Joints

• Connected by cartilage
• Limited movement
• Types include synchondroses (connected by hyaline cartilage, example epiphyseal plates) and symphyses (connected by fibrocartilage, example pubic symphysis)

Synovial Joints

• Characterized by a joint cavity filled with synovial fluid and lined by a synovial membrane
• Freely movable
• Examples include hinge, pivot, condyloid, saddle, ball and socket
• Synovial joints are further categorized into the type of movement they permit (uniaxial, biaxial, or multiaxial)
• The joint capsule is enclosed by a fibrous outer layer and an inner synovial membrane
• The synovial membrane secretes synovial fluid, lubricating the joint
• Articular cartilage covers the bones within the joint, cushioning and reducing friction