Chapter 8 - Joints

These flashcards cover key concepts related to joints, including types of joints, movements, and specific joint characteristics.

Fibrous Joints

Articulating bones fastened together by a thin layer of dense connective tissue containing many collagen fibers.

Syndesmosis

An amphiarthrotic joint where bones are bound by interosseous ligament, allowing flexibility and twisting.

Suture

A synarthrotic joint in which flat bones are united by a sutural ligament, such as the sagittal suture between parietal bones.

Gomphosis

A synarthrotic joint where a cone-shaped process is fastened in a bony socket by the periodontal ligament, such as the root of a tooth.

Cartilaginous Joints

Joints where articulating bones are connected by hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage.

Synchondrosis

A synarthrotic cartilaginous joint where bones are united by bands of hyaline cartilage; example includes the joint between the first rib and manubrium.

Symphysis

An amphiarthrotic joint where bones are covered by hyaline cartilage and connected by a pad of fibrocartilage, allowing limited bending and twisting.

Synovial Joints

Joints where articulating ends of bones are surrounded by a joint capsule and covered by hyaline cartilage, allowing for diarthrotic (freely movable) functions.

Ball-and-Socket Joint

A synovial joint where a ball-shaped head of one bone articulates with a cup-shaped socket of another, allowing movements in all planes, including rotation.

Hinge Joint

A synovial joint where the convex surface of one bone articulates with the concave surface of another, allowing for flexion and extension.

Pivot Joint

A synovial joint where the cylindrical surface of one bone articulates with the ring of bone and ligament, allowing for rotation.

Abduction

A movement where a limb is moved away from the midline of the body.

Adduction

A movement where a limb is moved towards the midline of the body.

Elevation

A movement that raises a body part.

Depression

A movement that lowers a body part.

Dorsiflexion

A movement that bends the foot upwards at the ankle.

Plantar Flexion

A movement that extends the foot downwards at the ankle.

Medial Rotation

A rotation toward the midline of the body.

Lateral Rotation

A rotation away from the midline of the body.

Circumduction

A circular movement of a limb that creates a cone shape.

Inversion

A movement that turns the sole of the foot inward.

Eversion

A movement that turns the sole of the foot outward.

Protraction

A movement that moves a body part forward.

Retraction

A movement that moves a body part backward.