Anatomy: Joints and Movements Vocabulary

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering structural and functional joint classifications, detailed synovial joint anatomy, and specific body movements from Chapter 8 lecture materials.

Joint

A location where two or more bones meet or come together.

Synarthrosis

A functional classification for a joint that is non-movable.

Amphiarthrosis

A functional classification for a joint that is slightly movable.

Diarthrosis

A functional classification for a joint that is freely movable.

Fibrous Joint

A structural joint type united by fibrous connective tissue that has no joint cavity and permits little to no mobility.

Cartilaginous Joint

A structural joint type united by a pad of cartilage (hyaline or fibrocartilage) that lacks a joint cavity and allows little to no movement.

Synovial Joint

A complex, freely movable structural joint type characterized by the presence of a joint cavity filled with synovial fluid.

Suture

An immovable fibrous joint seam found between the bones of the skull that interdigitates and is joined by dense connective tissue.

Syndesmosis

A fibrous joint in which bones are farther apart than in a suture and are joined by ligaments or an interosseous membrane, allowing some movement.

Gomphosis

A specialized fibrous joint consisting of pegs that fit into sockets, anchored by periodontal ligaments to hold teeth in place.

Synchondrosis

A cartilaginous joint joined by hyaline cartilage with little to no movement, which may be permanent (e.g., first sternocostal joint) or temporary (e.g., epiphyseal plate).

Symphysis

A slightly movable cartilaginous joint joined by fibrocartilage, such as the pubic symphysis and intervertebral discs.

Articular Cartilage

Hyaline cartilage that covers the ends of long bones within a joint to provide a smooth surface; it lacks direct blood and nerve supply.

Joint Capsule

A two-layered pocket enclosing a synovial joint, composed of an outer fibrous capsule continuous with the periosteum and an inner synovial membrane.

Synovial Membrane

The inner lining of the joint capsule made of specialized connective tissue cells that secretes synovial fluid into the joint cavity.

Synovial Cavity

The space enclosed inside the joint capsule surrounding the articular surfaces of bones and filled with synovial fluid.

Synovial Fluid

A slippery fluid mixture containing hyaluronic acid, serum filtrate, proteins, lipids, and cells that lubricates synovial joints and reduces friction.

Hyaluronic Acid

A polysaccharide compound present in synovial fluid that gives it its slippery, lubricating property.

Bursa

A pocket of synovial membrane and fluid extending from or separate from a joint cavity that cushions and reduces friction between structures like bone, tendons, or skin.

Flexion

An angular movement that reduces the angle of a joint or between two bones.

Extension

An angular movement that increases the angle of a joint or between two bones back toward anatomical position.

Hyperextension

Extension of a joint beyond its neutral anatomical position.

Dorsiflexion

Movement of the ankle joint that lifts the foot and points the toes upward toward the shin.

Plantar Flexion

Movement of the ankle joint that pushes the foot downward toward the plantar surface, as in standing on toes.

Abduction

Movement of a structure or appendage away from the midline or median plane of the body.

Adduction

Movement of a structure or appendage toward the midline or median plane of the body.

Rotation

Turning of an anatomical structure on its long axis.

Pronation

Rotation of the forearm that causes the palm of the hand to face posteriorly.

Supination

Rotation of the forearm that causes the palm of the hand to face anteriorly.

Circumduction

A circular movement combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction where the distal end of an appendage describes a cone.

Elevation

Movement of a structure in a superior direction, such as shrugging the shoulders or elevating the mandible to close the mouth.

Depression

Movement of a structure in an inferior direction, such as depressing the mandible to open the mouth.

Protraction

An anterior gliding motion of a structure, such as pushing the mandible forward.

Retraction

Movement that pulls a structure back to the anatomic position or further posteriorly.

Excursion

Side-to-side movement of the mandible, divided into lateral excursion (moving away from midline) and medial excursion (returning to midline).

Opposition

Special movement of the thumb where the thumb and tip of a finger on the same hand are brought together across the palm.

Reposition

Returning the thumb from opposition back to its neutral anatomical position.

Inversion

Ankle movement that turns the foot so the plantar surface faces medially, placing weight on the outside edge of the foot.

Eversion

Ankle movement that turns the foot so the plantar surface faces laterally, placing weight on the inside edge of the foot.