Joints
Chapter 6
A. What are joints?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Joints or articulations are
functional junctions
between bones.
Bind parts of the skeleton.
Make possible bone
growth.
Permit parts of the
skeleton to change shape
during childbirth.
Enable the body to move
in response to skeletal
muscle.
B. Classification of Joints
1. Classified by their structure-tissue that binds
a. Three general groups:
 Fibrous joints
 Cartilaginous joints
 Synovial joints
2. Classified by their function- degree of movement
a. Three general groups:
 Immovable (synarthrotic)
 Slightly movable (amphiarthrotic)
 Freely movable (diarthrotic)
C. Fibrous Joints
Dense connective tissue holding them together contains many
collagenous fibers.
2. Lie between bones that closely contact one another.
1.
Three types:
 Syndesmosis
a.
 Long fibers of connective tissue-interosseous ligament
 Amphiarthrotic joint
 Distal ends of the tibia and fibula (tibiofibular articulation)
 Suture
 Between flat bones of the skull-Sutural ligament
 Synarthrotic joint
 Gomphosis
 Formed by the union of a cone-shaped bone process in a bony socket.
 Peg-like root of a tooth fastened to the jawbone (periodontal ligament)
 Synarthrotic joint
D. Cartilaginous Joints
Hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage connects the bones.
1.
Two types:
 Synchondrosis
a.
 Bands of hyaline cartilage unite the bones.
 Many temporary
-Ex: Epiphyseal plate (synarthrotic joint)
 Can be permanent
-Ex: Between manubrium & 1st rib (synarthrotic joint)
 Symphysis
 Articular surfaces are covered by a thin layer of hyaline cartilage which is
attached to a pad of springy fibrocartilage.
-Ex: Pubic symphysis (amphiarthrotic joint)
-Ex: Intervertebral discs (amphiarthrotic joint)
E. Synovial Joints
Most joints of the skeletal system.
1.

Ex: Shoulder, elbow, hip & knee joints.
Diarthrotic
3. Very complex2.
 Articular cartilage
 Joint capsule
 Synovial membrane
 Synovial fluid