Section A: Applied Anatomy and
Physiology
2. Joint type
Syllabus
• Definitions and examples of fibrous,
cartilaginous and synovial joints
• The typical structure and features of a synovial
joint
• The type of join and the bones which
articulate at the following joints:
– Shoulder, elbow, radio-ulnar, wrist, hip, knee,
ankle, spine
Joint Classification
• Structural classification is based on anatomical
characteristics.
• Fibrous: no synovial cavity and bones are held
together by fibrous connective tissue.
• Cartilaginous: no synovial cavity and the bones are
held together by cartilage.
• Synovial: bones forming the joint have a synovial cavity.
Held together by the articular capsule and often by
accessory ligaments.
Fibrous Joint (Suture)
* the amount of movement is based
on the length of the tissue fibres *
Fibrous Joint (Syndesmosis)
Cartilaginous Joint
Types
• (Synchondroses) – temporary joints present in
children
– E.g. epiphyseal plates in long bones
• (Sympheses) – permanent cartilaginous joints
– E.g. vertebral column
Temporary Joint
Permanent Joint
Synovial Joints
• There are 6 types
• These are categorized according to range of
movement possible
• Movement determined by:
– Shape of articulating surfaces
– Position of ligaments
– Number of ligaments
Synovial Joint Features
• Common features include
– A joint (articular) capsule: unites the articulating
bones.
– A joint cavity.
– A synovial membrane:
secretes synovial fluid
to reduce friction/absorb shock, supply nutrients.
– Articular (hyaline) cartilage.
Some Synovial Joints Also Have…
• Bursae
– Small sacs of synovial fluid located at points of
friction
• Menisci
– Discs of cartilage between bone surfaces
• Pads of fat
– Added protection
Synovial Joints
Synovial Joints
Ball and
Socket
Ball and Socket Joint
• Multiaxial
• Movement in all 3 planes
•
•
•
•
Flexion/Extension
Abduction/Adduction
Circumduction
Rotation
Hinge
Hinge Joint
• Uniaxial
• Only permits flexion and extension
• Examples are the knee, elbow and ankle
Pivot
Pivot Joints
• Uniaxial
• It allows rotation only around its own
longitudinal axis
• Example is the atlanto-axial joint
Plane
Planar Joints
• Nonaxial
• The motion they allow does not occur around
an axis or along a plane
• Examples are intercarpal joints, intertarsal
joints etc
Saddle
Saddle Joints
• Biaxial
• Flexion/Extension
• Abduction/Adduction
• Circumduction
• Example is the carpometacarpal joint
Condyloid
Condyloid Joints
• Biaxial
• Flexion/Extension
• Abduction/Adduction
• Circumduction
• Examples are the wrist and
metacarpophalangeal joints