CH 8

Vocabulary flashcards related to joints, their structure, classification, and common conditions.

Joints (Articulations)

Locations where two or more bones meet; points at which movements of bones can occur.

Synarthrosis

Functional joint classification; no movement allowed and extremely strong.

Amphiarthrosis

Functional joint classification; little movement allowed, stronger than diarthrosis, connected by collagen fibers or cartilage.

Diarthrosis

Functional joint classification; freely movable.

Fibrous: Suture

Structural joint classification; synarthrotic joint connected by dense fibrous connective tissue, located between bones of the skull.

Fibrous: Gomphosis

Structural joint classification; synarthrotic joint binding teeth to bony sockets in maxillae and mandible.

Fibrous: Syndesmosis

Structural joint classification; amphiarthrotic joint with bones connected by a ligament (e.g., distal joint between tibia and fibula).

Cartilaginous: Synchondrosis

Structural joint classification; synarthrotic joint formed by a rigid, cartilaginous bridge between two articulating bones (e.g., between ends of the first pair of ribs and the sternum).

Cartilaginous: Symphysis

Structural joint classification; amphiarthrotic joint where articulating bones are separated by a pad of fibrocartilage (e.g., joint between the two pubic bones).

Bony: Synostosis

Structural joint classification; synarthrotic, totally rigid, immovable joint formed when bones fuse (e.g., frontal suture and epiphyseal lines).

Synovial

Structural joint classification; diarthrotic joints permitting a wider range of motion, located at the ends of long bones.

Articular cartilage

Covers bones at joints like hyaline cartilage but with more water and no perichondrium.

Joint capsule (Articular capsule)

Sac enclosing the articular ends of bones in a joint, reinforced with tendons and ligaments.

Synovial membrane

Lines the interior of the joint capsule and secretes synovial fluid.

Synovial fluid

Clear, straw-colored, viscous fluid that lubricates, provides nutrients and takes out waste, shock absorption. cushions, and prevents abrasion in a joint.

Bursa

Small, thin, fluid-filled pocket filled with synovial fluid and lined by synovial membrane, reduces friction and acts as a shock absorber.

Fat pads

Localized masses of adipose tissue covered by a layer of synovial membrane, protect articular cartilage, and fill spaces created as the joint moves.

Meniscus (Articular disc)

Pad of fibrocartilage between opposing bones in a synovial joint, may subdivide a synovial cavity and channel synovial fluid flow.

Capsular ligaments / Intrinsic ligaments

Localized thickenings of the joint capsule.

Extrinsic ligaments

Ligaments separate from the joint capsule, either outside (extracapsular) or inside (intracapsular).

Dislocation (Luxation)

Movement beyond the normal range of motion; articulating surfaces forced out of position.

Gliding

Linear motion, permits sliding motion in any direction on a relatively flat surface.

Angular motion

Movement along two axes in one plane, involves a change in angle.

Circumduction

Complex angular movement where the proximal end of bone remains fixed while the distal end moves in a circular path.

Rotation

Movement around the longitudinal axis.

Monoaxial

Around one axis

Biaxial

Around two axes

Triaxial

Around three axes

Flexion

Decreases the angle of the joint.

Extension

Increases the angle of the joint.

Hyperextension

Extension past the anatomical position.

Lateral flexion

Bending the vertebral column to the side, most pronounced in cervical and thoracic regions.

Dorsiflexion

Upward movement of the foot or toes.

Plantar flexion

Movement extending the ankle, as in standing on tiptoe.

Abduction

Movement away from the longitudinal axis in the frontal plane.

Adduction

Movement toward the longitudinal axis in the frontal plane.

Circumduction

Moving a body part such that the distal end traces a circle while the proximal end stays in one position.

Medial rotation

Anterior surface of a limb turns toward the long axis of the trunk.

Lateral rotation

Anterior surface of a limb turns away from the long axis of the trunk.

Pronation

Distal epiphysis of radius rolls across the anterior surface of the ulna, turning the wrist and hand from palm facing front to palm facing back.

Supination

Opposing movement to pronation; palm is turned anteriorly.

Opposition

Movement of the thumb toward the surface of the palm or pads of other fingers.

Inversion

Twisting motion turning the sole inward.

Eversion

Opposing motion to inversion; turning the sole outward.

Protraction

Moving a part of the body anteriorly in the horizontal plane.

Retraction

Reverse of protraction; returning the body part to normal position.

Depression

Moving a body part inferiorly (as in opening your jaw).

Elevation

Moving a body part superiorly (as in closing your jaw).

Atlanto-occipital joint

Articulation between the occipital bone and atlas

Atlanto-axial joint

Articulation between C1 and C2

Sternoclavicular joint

Articulation between the axial skeleton and pectoral girdle and upper limb

Sacro-iliac joint

Attaches the sacrum of axial skeleton to the pelvic girdle.

Syndesmoses of vertebral column

Fibrous joints including vertebral ligaments.

Synchondroses of vertebral column

Intervertebral joints, forming intervertebral discs.

Vertebral synovial joints

Joints between bony processes.

Anulus fibrosus

Tough outer ring of fibrocartilage in an intervertebral disc, collagen fiber attach to adjacent vertebrae

Nucleus pulposus

Soft, elastic, gelatinous core of an intervertebral disc. Gives disc resilience and shock absorption ability

Ligamentum flavum

Connects laminae of adjacent vertebrae.

Posterior longitudinal ligament

Connects posterior surfaces of adjacent vertebral bodies.

Interspinous ligament

Connects spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae.

Supraspinous ligament

Connects tips of spinous processes from the sacrum to C7; Ligamentum nuchae extends from C7 to base of the skull.

Anterior longitudinal ligament

Connects anterior surfaces of adjacent vertebral bodies.

Bulging disc

Caused by weakened posterior longitudinal ligaments, allows compression of nucleus pulposus and distortion of anulus fibrosus. Tough, outer layer of cartilage bulges laterally.

Herniated disc

Nucleus pulposus breaks through anulus fibrosus and protrudes into the vertebral canal, compressing spinal nerves.

Osteopenia

Inadequate ossification leading to loss of bone mass.

Osteoporosis

Bone loss sufficient to affect normal function.

Shoulder joint (Glenohumoral joint)

Articulation between the head of the humerus and the glenoid cavity of the scapula.

Glenoid labrum

Fibrocartilage rim that increases the area of the glenoid cavity.

Acetabular labrum

Rim of fibrocartilage that increases the depth of the joint cavity and helps to seal in synovial fluid

Elbow joint

Complex hinge joint involving humerus, radius, and ulna.

Humeroradial joint

Capitulum of humerus articulates with head of radius.

Humero-ulnar joint

Largest and strongest articulation of elbow; trochlea of humerus articulates with the trochlear notch of the ulna.

Nursemaid’s elbow

Partial dislocation of the radial head from annular ligament.

Radial collateral ligament

Stabilizes the lateral surface of the elbow joint.

Annular ligament

Binds the head of the radius to the ulna.

Ulnar collateral ligament

Stabilizes the medial surface of the elbow joint.

Medial and lateral menisci

Pair of fibrocartilage pads between femoral and tibial surfaces.

Rheumatism

General term indicating pain and stiffness in the bones and/or muscles.

Arthritis

All rheumatic diseases that affect synovial joints; always involves damage to the articular cartilage.

Osteoarthritis

Most common form of arthritis, generally affects individuals age 60 or older; caused by wear and tear on joints and genetic factors.

Arthroscope

Narrow, flexible fiberoptic tube with tiny camera used to explore a joint without major surgery.

Accessory structures supporting the knee are

Bursa, Fat pads, Meniscus, Ligaments, Tendons

Hip joint reinforcing ligaments

include the Iliofemoral, Ischiofemoral, and Pubofemoral ligaments, which provide stability and support to the hip joint.

Transverse acetabular ligament 

Crosses the acetabular notch, filling gap in the inferior border of the acetabulum 

Ligamentum teres /ligament of the femoral head

Originates along the transverse acetabular ligament • Attaches to the fovea capitis 

Why is the elbow joint stable

1. The bony surfaces of the humerus and ulna interlock

2. 2. A single, thick articular capsule surrounds both the humero-ulnar and proximal radio-ulnar joints

3. 3. Strong ligaments reinforce the articular capsule 

proximal radio-ulnar joint

not part of the elbow joints, capsule and ligaments help hold the humerus, ulna and radius in position

Knee joint

contains 3 seperate articulations that permit flexion, extension and very limited rotation

Two articulations of the knee joint between the femur and tibia 

1. Medial condyle of tibia to medial condyle of femur

2. Lateral condyle of tibia to lateral condyle of femur 

Is fibula part of the knee joint?

NO

Quadriceps tendon (knee joint)

continues as patellar ligament to anterior tibial surface

Fibular collateral ligament (knee joint)

provides lateral support

Tibial collateral ligament/ medial collateral ligament (knee joint)

provides medial support

popliteal ligament

run between femur and heads of the tibia and fibula

Medial and lateral menisci (hip joint)

pair of fibrocartilage pads, located between a femoral and tibial surfaces, acts as cushion and provide lateral stability

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) (hip joint)

At full extension, slight lateral rotation of tibia tightens ACL and forces lateral meniscus between tibia and femur • This “locks” knee in extended position • Opposite motion is required to “unlock” 

PCL (Hip joint)

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)