Joints 1
Joints
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 2
What you will learn about
in this topic:
1. Definition of a joint
2. Types of joints
3. Cartilage
4. Synovial joints
5. Ligaments
6. Inflammatory cascade
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 3
Learning objectives
By the end of this presentation you
should be able to:
• Understand how synovial joints work
• Describe the different joints of the
body
• Explain how a joint works and the
importance of them in sport
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 4
Definition of a joint
A joint is the place where two or
more bones meet.
There does not have to be
movement at a joint, but where
there is, it is more significant to the
actions of the sportsperson.
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 5
Three types of joint
There are three types of joint In
the body.
They differ according to how much
movement they allow.
1. Immovable joints
2. Slightly movable joints
3. Freely movable joints
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1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 6
Immovable joints are fixed so
there is no movement at the joint.
Any place where the
bones are fused
together is an
immovable joint; for
example, the crown
of the cranium and
the coccyx.
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 7
Slightly movable joints have gaps
between the bones, which allow a
small amount of movement. These
gaps are usually filled with cartilage.
Examples include
the bones of the
vertebral column
and the joint of
the ribs and the
sternum.
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 8
Freely movable joints are
designed for movement. Keeping
them in good order is essential to a
healthy active life, and are most
important to the sportsperson.
Examples include
the joints at the
wrist, hip and
knee.
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 9
Examples of joints
Pivot
In the neck –
rotates and tilts
the head –
assists the
rotation of the
body.
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 10
Hinge
In the knee –
extends and flexes –
tucks knees for style
and aerodynamics.
In the arm – flexing and extending
with a slight amount of rotation –
used to swing and apply topspin on
a ball.
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 11
Ball and socket
In the shoulder – full range of
movement – used when throwing a
ball.
In the hip – full
range of
movement –
used when
avoiding a tackle.
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 12
Gliding
In the ankle – forward and back
with slight sideways movement –
used when a footballer passes the
ball.
FOR EDEXCEL
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© Folens 2009
Joints 13
Condyloid/gliding
In the wrist – moves
forward and
backwards with
some slight
sideways movement
– used by a golfer at
the ‘wrist break’
phase of swing.
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 14
Cartilage
Cartilage acts as a shock-absorber. It
protects the bone, acts as a cushion
and provides almost friction-free
movement in a joint.
It is a smooth, sheet-like coating,
present at the end of the articulating
surfaces of bone and forms a barrier
between the bones, stopping them
wearing each other away.
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 15
This is especially important in
activities like long-distance running,
where there is continued use of the
knee joint.
If the cartilage was not there, pain
would occur at the joint due to the
friction of the bones rubbing
together.
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 16
Cartilage damage is common in
sportspeople. A frayed cartilage
decreases the efficiency of the joint
and is extremely painful.
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 17
Synovial joints
Synovial joints are the most
movable joints in the body.
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© Folens 2009
Joints 18
Synovial fluid acts as packing,
preventing friction between the
moving parts and lubricating the
joint.
Like oiling the chain of a bike or
putting oil in the car, synovial fluid
allows all of the parts to move
against each other smoothly.
Synovial fluid also keeps the joint
free from infection.
FOR EDEXCEL
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Joints 19
The fluid is produced in the synovial
membrane.
The synovial capsule is a tough fibre
that surrounds the joint holding the
fluid in place.
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 20
Ligaments
The stability of a joint relies on the
strength of the ligaments – tough
elastic fibres that attach bone to bone –
and on the muscles supporting the joint.
Running, stopping and changing
direction all put pressure on the joint.
If the ligaments are stretched too far,
they tear and the joint dislocates.
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 21
Inflammatory cascade
Inflammation of joints can occur
after injury or short-term overuse.
After an injury there is a series of
events called the inflammatory
cascade…
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© Folens 2009
Joints 22
Injury
Pro-inflammatory hormones triggered
Call out for white blood cells to clean up
the damage and clear infection
Causing the area to go red
Leading to swelling
Pain occurs
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 23
A healthy joint will react to injury when
required. The inflammatory cascade will
do its job then disappear. If it persists
then it is a more chronic condition.
An unhealthy joint will not be able to
turn off the immune system and so will
appear red and sore without reason.
To avoid inflammation, wear appropriate
sports wear to prevent injury.
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 24
Task
Choose a sport and explain how
four different joints are used.
Describe how each of the joints
helps to produce movement in the
chosen sport.
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 25
Exam questions
1. Which of the following best describes a
joint?
A. A place where bones are close
B. Where several bones and muscles meet
allowing movement
C. Where the production of movement occurs
D. Where two or more bones meet but where
there is not necessarily movement
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 26
2. Which joint is mainly involved
in the action of kicking a
football?
A. Pivot joint
B. Hinge joint at the elbow
C. Ball and socket joint at the hip
D.Hinge joint at the knee
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 27
What you have learnt
in this topic:
1. Definition of a joint
2. Types of joints
3. Cartilage
4. Synovial joints
5. Ligaments
6. Inflammatory cascade
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009
Joints 28
Learning objectives
You should now be able to:
•Understand how synovial joints
work
•Describe the different joints of
the body
•Explain how a joint works and the
importance of them in sport
FOR EDEXCEL
1.2.5 A healthy, active lifestyle and your skeletal system
© Folens 2009