Articulations/Joints

Articulation (Joint)

Place where bones or bone and cartilage come together to form a connection

Synarthrosis

Immovable or slightly movable fibrous joint that provides stability and protection

Fibrous Joint

Joint connected by dense fibrous connective tissue with no joint cavity

Suture

Rigid fibrous joint between cranial bones

Synostosis

Complete fusion of bones into a single bone with no movement

Gomphosis

Peg-and-socket joint connecting a tooth to its alveolus

Alveolus

Bony socket that holds a tooth root

Periodontal Ligament

Connective fibers attaching a tooth to alveolar bone

Syndesmosis

Joint connected by a ligament or interosseous membrane allowing slight movement

Interosseous Membrane

Sheet of connective tissue connecting adjacent bones

Amphiarthrosis

Slightly movable cartilaginous joint

Cartilaginous Joint

Joint where bones are connected by cartilage with no joint cavity

Symphysis

Joint where bones are connected by fibrocartilage

Intervertebral Disc

Fibrocartilage pad between vertebrae that absorbs shock

Pubic Symphysis

Joint connecting the left and right pubic bones

Relaxin

Hormone that increases pelvic joint mobility during pregnancy

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

Joint between the temporal bone and mandible

Synchondrosis

Joint where bones are united by hyaline cartilage

Epiphyseal Growth Plate

Cartilage plate responsible for longitudinal bone growth

Epiphyseal Line

Bony remnant left after the growth plate closes

Manubriosternal Joint

Joint between the manubrium and body of the sternum

Angle of Louis

Landmark at the manubriosternal joint used to locate the 2nd rib and T4-T5

Costal Cartilage

Cartilage connecting ribs to the sternum

Diarthrosis

Freely movable synovial joint

Synovial Joint

Fluid-filled joint enclosed in a capsule lined by synovial membrane

Synovial Fluid

Lubricating fluid that nourishes cartilage and reduces friction

Articular Capsule

Fibrous capsule surrounding a synovial joint

Synovial Membrane

Inner lining of a synovial joint capsule

Articular Cartilage

Hyaline cartilage covering articulating bone surfaces

Articular Cavity

Space between bones in a synovial joint containing synovial fluid

Ligament

Connective tissue connecting bone to bone

Extracapsular Ligament

Ligament located outside a joint capsule

Intracapsular Ligament

Ligament located inside a joint capsule

Tendon

Connective tissue connecting muscle to bone

Bursa

Fluid-filled sac that reduces friction around joints

Subcutaneous Bursa

Bursa between skin and bone

Submuscular Bursa

Bursa between muscle and bone or adjacent muscles

Subtendinous Bursa

Bursa between tendon and bone

Adventitious Bursa

Bursa formed from repeated friction or stress

Meniscus

Fibrocartilage structure that improves fit and absorbs shock

Abduction

Movement away from the body's midline

Adduction

Movement toward the body's midline

Inversion

Movement of the sole inward

Eversion

Movement of the sole outward

Pronation

Rotation of the forearm so the palm faces down

Supination

Rotation of the forearm so the palm faces up

Opposition

Movement of the thumb to touch the fingers

Reposition

Return of the thumb from opposition

Flexion

Decreases the angle between bones

Extension

Increases the angle between bones

Hyperextension

Extension beyond anatomical position

Dorsiflexion

Toes move toward the shin

Plantarflexion

Foot points downward

Protraction

Anterior movement of a body part

Retraction

Posterior movement of a body part

Elevation

Upward movement of a structure

Depression

Downward movement of a structure

Circumduction

Circular movement of a limb

Rotation

Movement around a longitudinal axis

Medial Rotation

Rotation toward the midline

Lateral Rotation

Rotation away from the midline

Nonaxial Joint

Joint allowing gliding movement

Gliding Joint

Plane joint where bones slide past one another

Acromioclavicular Joint (AC)

Gliding joint between clavicle and acromion

Intercarpal Joints

Gliding joints between wrist bones

Intertarsal Joints

Gliding joints between tarsal bones

Patellofemoral Joint

Joint between patella and femur

Zygapophyseal Joint

Facet joint between adjacent vertebrae

Uniaxial Joint

Joint allowing movement in one plane

Hinge Joint

Joint allowing flexion and extension in one plane

Humeroulnar Joint

Main hinge joint of the elbow

Tibiofemoral Joint

Main joint of the knee; modified hinge joint

Pivot Joint

Joint allowing rotation around one axis

Atlantoaxial Joint

Pivot joint between C1 and C2 vertebrae

Biaxial Joint

Joint allowing movement in two planes

Condyloid (Ellipsoidal) Joint

Joint allowing flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and circumduction

Metacarpophalangeal Joint (MCP)

Condyloid joint of the knuckles

Saddle Joint

Joint with reciprocal concave and convex surfaces

1st Carpometacarpal Joint

Saddle joint at the base of the thumb

Multiaxial Joint

Joint allowing movement in all three planes

Ball-and-Socket Joint

Joint permitting movement in all directions

Acetabulofemoral Joint

Ball-and-socket hip joint

Glenohumeral Joint

Ball-and-socket shoulder joint

ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament)

Prevents anterior tibial movement and provides rotational stability

PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament)

Prevents posterior tibial movement and resists excessive flexion

MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament)

Resists excessive medial knee movement

LCL (Lateral Collateral Ligament)

Stabilizes the lateral side of the knee

Largest Joint in the Body

Knee joint

Rotator Cuff

Group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder

Labrum

Fibrocartilage ring that deepens the glenoid cavity

Coracohumeral Ligament

Ligament that strengthens the superior shoulder capsule

Scapula

Shoulder blade

Clavicle

Collarbone

Humerus

Upper arm bone