Anatomy of Joints: Types, Movements, and Structures

What are the three functional categories of joints?

Fibrous, Cartilaginous, Synovial

What are the three structural categories of joints?

Diarthrosis (freely movable), Amphiarthrosis (slightly movable), Synarthrosis (non-movable)

Define elevation in joint movements.

Movement of a structure superiorly.

Define depression in joint movements.

Movement of a structure inferiorly.

What is protraction?

Moving a structure anteriorly.

What is retraction?

Moving a structure posteriorly.

What is lateral excursion?

Moving the mandible to the right or left of the midline.

What is medial excursion?

Returning the mandible to the neutral position.

What is opposition in joint movements?

Unique movement of the thumb towards the little finger.

What is reposition in joint movements?

Returning the thumb and little finger to anatomical position.

Define inversion.

Turning the foot so that the plantar surface faces medially.

Define eversion.

Turning the foot so that the plantar surface faces laterally.

What is flexion?

Movement of a body part anterior to the coronal plane.

What is extension?

Movement of a body part posterior to the coronal plane.

What is plantar flexion?

Movement of the foot towards the plantar surface.

What is dorsiflexion?

Movement of the foot towards the dorsal surface, as in walking on heels.

What is abduction?

Movement away from the median plane.

What is adduction?

Movement toward the median plane.

What is circumduction?

Combination of flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction in a circular motion.

What is rotation?

Turning of a structure around its long axis.

What is supination?

Rotation of the palm to face anteriorly.

What is pronation?

Rotation of the palm to face posteriorly.

What is a suture joint?

Seams between skull bones joined by dense regular collagenous connective tissue.

What is a syndesmosis joint?

Joint with bones joined by ligaments, farther apart than sutures.

What is a synchondrosis joint?

Joint with bones joined by hyaline cartilage.

What is a symphysis joint?

Joint with bones joined by fibrocartilage.

What is a bursa?

Pocket or sac of synovial membrane extending away from the joint cavity.

What is synovial fluid?

Fluid that lubricates joint surfaces, consisting of serum filtrate and secretions from synovial cells.