Joints and Articulations

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering joint classification, movement types, synovial joint subtypes, and common joint injuries based on the 16th Edition of Tortora and Derrickson.

Joint (Articulation or Arthrosis)

A point of contact between two bones, between bone and cartilage, or between bone and teeth.

Structural Classification

Criteria for classifying joints based on the presence or absence of a joint cavity and the specific type of connective tissue involved.

Functional Classification

Criteria for classifying joints based on the degree of movement they permit.

Fibrous Joint

A joint where articulating bones are held together by dense irregular connective tissue and lack an articular cavity.

Cartilaginous Joint

A joint where articulating bones are held together by hyaline cartilage or fibrous cartilage and lack an articular cavity.

Synovial Joint

A joint characterized by a synovial cavity, articular cartilage, and an articular capsule, permitting a large range of movement.

Suture

A fibrous joint composed of a thin layer of dense irregular connective tissue found between skull bones; some are replaced by synostosis as bones fuse with age.

Synostosis

A joint in which there is a complete fusion of two separate bones into one, such as may occur with some sutures.

Syndesmosis

A fibrous joint in which articulating bones are united by a varying amount of dense irregular connective tissue, typically a ligament or membrane.

Synchondrosis

A cartilaginous joint in which the connecting material is hyaline cartilage, such as the epiphyseal growth plate or the joint between the first rib and manubrium.

Symphysis

A cartilaginous joint where the connecting material is a broad, flat disc of fibrous cartilage, such as the pubic symphysis or intervertebral joints.

Synovial cavity

A space between articulating bones in a synovial joint that allows for freedom of movement.

Articular capsule

A structure surrounding a synovial joint that consists of an outer fibrous layer and an inner synovial membrane.

Bursae

Sac-like structures filled with synovial fluid that cushion the movement of one body part over another at many synovial joints.

Tendon sheaths

Tube-like bursae that wrap around tendons subject to a great deal of friction.

Gliding

A simple movement in which relatively flat bone surfaces move back-and-forth and side-to-side over one another.

Flexion

A movement that results in a decrease in the angle between articulating bones, usually in the sagittal plane.

Lateral flexion

Movement of the trunk in the frontal plane.

Extension

A movement that results in an increase in the angle between articulating bones, usually in the sagittal plane.

Abduction

Movement of a bone away from the midline, usually in the coronal plane.

Adduction

Movement of a bone toward the midline, usually in the coronal plane.

Circumduction

A sequence of movements consisting of flexion, abduction, extension, adduction, and rotation in which the distal end of a body part moves in a circle.

Rotation

Movement of a bone around its own longitudinal axis, which can be medial (toward the midline) or lateral (away from the midline).

Elevation

A superior movement of a body part, such as closing the mouth.

Depression

An inferior movement of a body part, such as opening the mouth.

Protraction

An anterior movement of a body part in the transverse plane.

Retraction

A posterior movement of a body part in the transverse plane.

Inversion

Medial movement of the sole of the foot.

Eversion

Lateral movement of the sole of the foot.

Dorsiflexion

Bending the foot in the direction of the superior surface (dorsum).

Plantar flexion

Bending the foot in the direction of the sole (plantar surface).

Supination

Movement of the forearm that turns the palm anteriorly.

Pronation

Movement of the forearm that turns the palm posteriorly.

Opposition

Movement of the thumb across the palm to touch the fingertips of the same hand.

Plane Joint

A synovial joint with flat or slightly curved articulated surfaces that permits biaxial or triaxial back-and-forth and side-to-side movements.

Hinge Joint

A uniaxial synovial joint where the convex surface of one bone fits into the concave surface of another, permitting flexion and extension.

Pivot Joint

A uniaxial synovial joint where a rounded or pointed surface fits into a ring formed partly by bone and partly by ligament, permitting rotation.

Ellipsoid (Condyloid) Joint

A biaxial synovial joint where an oval-shaped projection fits into an oval-shaped depression, permitting flexion-extension and abduction-adduction.

Saddle Joint

A biaxial synovial joint where the articular surface of one bone is saddle-shaped, specialized for movements of the thumb.

Ball-and-socket Joint

A triaxial synovial joint where a ball-like surface fits into a cuplike depression, such as the glenohumeral (shoulder) or hip joints.

Rotator cuff injury

Damage to the shoulder joint resulting from wear and tear, trauma, or repetitive movements, affecting the surrounding muscles and tendons.

Separated shoulder

An injury characterized by the partial or complete tearing of the acromioclavicular ligament.

Tennis Elbow

Pain at or near the lateral epicondyle of the humerus.

Little League Elbow

Inflammation of the medial epicondyle caused by repetitive stress.

Arthroplasty

Joint replacement surgery performed to counter the effects of aging or disease on joint function.