Skeletal System: Joints 1.4

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts related to joints in the skeletal system.

Joints

The points where two or more bones meet, providing mobility and stability.

Synovial joint

A type of joint that contains a joint cavity filled with synovial fluid and allows free movement.

Fibrous joint

A joint where bones are connected by fibrous connective tissue, lacking a joint cavity.

Cartilaginous joint

A joint where bones are connected by cartilage and have no joint cavity, allowing limited movement.

Synarthrotic joint

A type of joint that is immovable.

Amphiarthrotic joint

A type of joint that is slightly movable.

Diarthrotic joint

A type of joint that is freely movable.

Meniscus

C-shaped fibrocartilages that deepen the joint cavity and stabilize the knee.

Bursitis

Inflammation of a bursa, often due to injury or overuse.

Patellar ligament

A ligament that connects the patella to the tibia and helps stabilize the knee joint.

Cruciate ligaments

Ligaments inside the knee joint that cross each other, preventing anterior-posterior displacement.

Unhappy triad

A common knee injury involving the anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament, and medial meniscus.

Dorsiflexion

Movement of the foot that raises the toes and the top of the foot upwards.

Plantarflexion

Movement of the foot that points the toes downwards.

Abduction

Movement away from the midline of the body.

Adduction

Movement toward the midline of the body.

Rotation

The turning movement of a bone around its long axis.

Synovial fluid

A viscous fluid that fills the joint cavity and reduces friction between cartilages.

Articular capsule

A two-layered structure enclosing the synovial joint, composed of fibrous outer layer and synovial inner membrane.