Example of Joints I

Axial Skeleton: Suture

• Components: Between skull bones.

• Classification: Fibrous.

• Movement: None.

Axial Skeleton: Atlanto-occipital Joint

• Components: Atlas ↔ occipital bone

• Classification: Synovial (ellipsoid)

• Movement: Head flexion, extension, and slight lateral flexion
  

Axial Skeleton: Atlanto-axial Joint

• Components: (1) Dens of axis ↔ anterior arch of atlas; (2) Lateral masses of atlas ↔ axis.

• Classification: Synovial (pivot & plane)

• Movement: Head rotation

Axial Skeleton: Intervertebral Joint

• Components: (1) Between vertebral bodies; (2) Between vertebral arches.

• Classification: Cartilaginous (symphysis) & Synovial (plane)

• Movement: Flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation

Axial Skeleton: Vertebrocostal Joint

• Components: (1) Heads of ribs ↔ adjacent coastal facets of thoracic vertebrae; (2) Tubercles of ribs ↔ transverse coastal facets of thoracic vertebrae

• Classification: Synovial (planar).

• Movement: Slight gliding.

Axial Skeleton: Sternocostal Joint

• Components: Components: Sternum ↔ thoracic vertebrae

• Classification: 1st rib—Cartilaginous (synchondrosis); Ribs 2–7—Synovial (plane)

• Movement: Movement: None at 1st rib; slight gliding at ribs 2–7

Axial Skeleton: Lumbosacral Joint

• Components: (1) L5 vertebra ↔ base of sacrum; (2) Articular facets of L5 ↔ first vertebra of sacrum

• Classification: Cartilaginous (symphysis) & Synovial (plane)

• Movement: Flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation of the vertebral column.

Appendicular Skeleton: Sternoclavicular

• Components: Clavicle ↔ sternum and first rib cartilage

• Classification: Synovial (plane, pivot).

• Movement: Gliding with limited movement in most directions

Appendicular Skeleton: Acromioclavicular

• Components: Acromion of scapula ↔ clavicle

• Classification: Synovial (plane).

• Movement: Gliding and rotation of scapula

Appendicular Skeleton: Radioulnar Joint

• Components: Head of radius ↔ radial notch of ulna (proximal); ulnar notch of radius ↔ head of ulna (distal)

• Classification: Synovial (pivot)

• Movement: Rotation of forearm (pronation & supination)

Appendicular Skeleton: Wrist (Radiocarpal) Joint

• Components: Distal radius ↔ scaphoid, lunate, and triquetrum

• Classification: Synovial (ellipsoid)

• Movement: Flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, circumduction

Appendicular Skeleton: Intercarpal Joint

Components: Between carpal bones

Classification: Synovial (plane), except the midcarpal joint that is synovial (saddle).

Movement: Gliding with slight flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and rotation

Appendicular Skeleton: Carpometacarpal (CMC) Joint

• Components: Carpal bones ↔ metacarpals

• Classification: Synovial (saddle in thumb; plane in other digits)

• Movement: Thumb—flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, circumduction; Other digits—gliding

Appendicular Skeleton: Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) & Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) Joints

• Components: Heads of metacarpals/metatarsals ↔ bases of proximal phalanges

• Classification: Synovial (ellipsoid)

• Movement: Flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, circumduction

Appendicular Skeleton: Interphalangeal (IP) Joints

• Components: Between heads and bases of phalanges

• Classification: Synovial (hinge)

• Movement: Flexion and extension

Appendicular Skeleton: Sacroiliac Joint

• Components: Auricular surfaces of sacrum ↔ ilium

• Classification: Synovial (plane)

• Movement: Slight gliding

Appendicular Skeleton: Pubic Symphysis

• Components: Anterior surfaces of hip bones

• Classification: Cartilaginous (symphysis)

• Movement: Slight movement

Appendicular Skeleton: Tibiofibular Joint

• Components: (1) Lateral condyle of tibia ↔ head of fibula; (2) Distal end of fibula ↔ fibular notch of tibia

• Classification: Proximal—Synovial (plane); Distal—Fibrous (syndesmosis)

• Movement: Slight gliding and slight rotation of fibula

Appendicular Skeleton: Ankle (Talocrural) Joint

Components: (1) Distal end of tibia ↔ medial malleolus and talus of tibia; (2) lateral malleolus of fibula ↔ talus

Classification: Synovial (hinge)

Movement: Dorsiflexion and plantar flexion

Appendicular Skeleton: Intertarsal Joint

• Components: Between tarsal bones (talus, calcaneus, navicular, cuboid)

• Classification: Synovial (plane) at subtalar and calcaneocuboid joints; Synovial (saddle) at talocalcaneonavicular joint

• Movement: Inversion and eversion

Appendicular Skeleton: Tarsometatarsal Joint

Components: Cuneiforms ↔ metatarsals

Classification: Synovial (plane)

Movement: Slight gliding

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

Components: Condylar process of mandible ↔ mandibular fossa and articular tubercle of temporal bone

Classification: Synovial (hinge and plane)

Movement: Elevation, depression, protraction, retraction, and side-to-side movement of jaw

TMJ: Articular Disc (Meniscus)

Fibrocartilage disc that divides the articular cavity into upper and lower cavities.

TMJ: Articular Capsule

Thin, loose capsule that encloses the joint.

TMJ: Lateral Ligament

Two short bands that extends from the temporal bone to the mandible to strengthens the joint and prevents dislocation.

TMJ: Sphenomandibular Ligament

Thin band extends from the sphenoid bone to the mandible to provides little strength support.

TMJ: Stylomandibular Ligament

Thickened band extends from the styloid process to the mandible to limit jaw movement.

Glenohumeral (Shoulder) Joint

• Components: Head of humerus ↔ glenoid cavity of scapula

• Classification: Synovial (ball-and-socket)

• Movement: Flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation, circumduction

Shoulder Joint: Articular Capsule

Thin, loose capsule that surrounds the shoulder joint, and the inferior part is its weakest area

Shoulder Joint: Coracohumeral Ligament

Strong broad ligament that extends from the coracoid process to humerus and strengthens the superior and anterior shoulder joint to reinforce the articular capsule

Shoulder Joint: Glenohumeral Ligaments

Three ligaments at the anterior surface that help stabilize the shoulder, especially at the limits of motion.

Shoulder Joint:Transverse Humeral Ligament

Narrow sheet extends between the greater and lesser tubercles to hold the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii in place.

Shoulder Joint:Glenoid Labrum

Fibrocartilage rim that deepens and enlarges the glenoid cavity, increasing shoulder stability.

Shoulder Joint: Shoulder Bursae

Fluid-filled sacs that reduce friction around the shoulder joint.

Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint

• Components: Acromion of scapula ↔ clavicle

• Classification: Synovial (plane)

• Movement: Gliding and rotation of scapula

AC Joint: Acromioclavicular Ligament

Connects the acromion to the clavicle to strengthen the AC joint.

AC Joint: Coracoclavicular Ligament

Connects the coracoid process to the clavicle as a major stabilizing ligament of the AC joint.

Rotator Cuff Injury

Caused by wear and tear, aging, trauma, poor posture, improper lifting, or repetitive movements.

Dislocated Shoulder

Head of humerus is forced out of the glenoid cavity, damaging ligaments, tendons, and muscles.

Separated Shoulder

Partial or complete tear of the acromioclavicular (AC) ligament.

Elbow Joint

Components: Humerus ↔ ulna and radius

Classification: Synovial (hinge and pivot)

Movement: Flexion and extension of forearm

Elbow Joint: Hinge Joint

Formed by the humeroulnar and humeroradial joints to allow flexion (bending) and extension (straightening) of the arm

Elbow Joint: Pivot Joint

Made up of the proximal radioulnar joint to allow for head of the radius to rotate against the ulna, producing pronation and supination (turning your palm up or down)

Elbow Joint: Articular Capsule

Fibrous capsule that surrounds and supports the anterior part of the humeroulnar, humeroradial, and proximal radioulnar joints

Elbow Joint: Ulnar Collateral Ligament

Thick, triangular ligament that extends from humerus to ulna to strengthen and stabilize the medial side of the elbow.

Elbow Joint: Radial Collateral Ligament

Strong, triangular ligament that extends from humerus to radius/ulna to strengthen and stabilize the lateral side of the elbow.

Elbow Joint: Annular Ligament of the Radius

Strong band that circles the head of the radius and holds it in place against the ulna.

Tennis Elbow

Pain or tenderness on the lateral (outer) epicondyle of the humerus, usually from overuse.

Little League Elbow

Inflammation of the medial (inner) epicondyle of the humerus, common in young throwing athletes.

Dislocation of Radial Head

The head of the radius slips out from the annular ligament; most common upper-limb dislocation in children.