Types of Joint Movements in Human Anatomy

Flexion

Decreases the angle between bones of a joint

Extension/Hyperextension

Increases the angle between bones of a joint; can go beyond normal limits resulting in joint damage

Abduction

Movement away from the longitudinal axis of the body

Adduction

Movement toward the longitudinal axis of the body

Rotation

Bone revolves around a single long axis

Circumduction

Movement of a limb so that the distal end describes a circle while the proximal end remains fixed

Inversion

Turning the sole of the foot inward

Eversion

Turning the sole of the foot outward

Radial/Ulnar Deviation

Tilting the wrist from one side to another

Pronation

Turning the palm of the hand posteriorly

Supination

Turning the palm of the hand anteriorly

Articulations/joints

point where two bones meet

Functional Categories

synarthrosis, amphiarthrosis, diarthrosis

Synarthrosis

immobile joint; consists of sutures, gomphosis, and synchondrosis

Amphiarthrosis

slightly mobile joint; consists of symphysis and syndesmosis

Diarthrosis

freely mobile joint; consists of synovial joints

Structural categories

fibrous, cartilaginous, synovial

Fibrous joints

Lacks a joint cavity, and fibrous connective tissue; connects articulating bones

3 types of fibrous joints

sutures, syndesmosis, gomphosis

Sutures

between bones of skull; synarthrosis

syndesmosis

between the fibula and tibia or the radius and ulna; amphiarthrosis

Gomphosis

between teeth and jaw bones; synarthrosis

cartilaginous joints

Lacks a joint cavity; cartilage binds articulating bones

2 types of cartilaginous joints

synchondrosis and symphysis

symphysis

pubic symphysis; amphiarthrosis

Synchondrosis

epiphyseal plate and first sternocostal; synarthrosis

synovial joints

surrounded by joint cavity and capsule; lined by synovial membrane which produces synovial fluid; diarthrosis

Types of synovial joints

gliding, hinge, pivot, condyloid, saddle, ball and socket

Synarthrosis: sutures

between flat bones of the skull; thin layer of dense regular connective tissue that binds bones

Synarthrosis: gomphosis

between teeth and supporting bones of jaw; root of the tooth is attached to the periodontal ligament

Synarthrosis: Synchondrosis

hyaline cartilage between bone segments; some eventually ossify such as the epiphyseal plate; some never ossify such as the costochondral articulations between ribs and sternum

Amphiarthrosis: symphysis

joining bones separated by a pad of fibrocartilage; cushions joints and allows for limited movement in response to twisting, compression, or stress

Amphiarthrosis: syndesmoses

Found in forearm (ulna and radius) and leg (tibia and fibula) where adjacent bones are held together by interosseous ligaments; side-to-side joints

Diarthrosis: gliding (plane)

simplest type of joint; permits only side-to-side and back-and-forth movements with some slight rotation; articulating surfaces are flattened or slightly curved; can slide across one another or in a straight linear motion

Examples of gliding diarthrosis joints

intercarpal/intertarsal joints, sternoclavicular joint, vertebrocostal joint, sacro-iliac joint

diarthrosis (pivot)

limited rotation; articulate in a sense that one bone is rounded and fits into a depression on another bone

examples of pivot diarthrosis movements

radius and ulna for rotation of forearm (turning a doorknob); the atlas and axis allow the head to rotate

Diarthrosis: Condyloid joint

oval articular face is nestled within a depression on the opposing surface; permits angular movement in 2 directions: up and down and side to side; does not permit rotational movement

examples of condyloid diarthrosis joints

radiocarpal joint, metacarpophalangeal joint, metatarsophalangeal joint

Diarthrosis: Hinge Joint

permits angular motion in a single plane (opening and closing a door); concave and convex relationship; most common type of synovial joint

examples of hinge diarthrosis joints

knee, humeroulnar articulation at elbow, joints between phalanges

Diarthrosis: Saddle Joint

Concave surface in one direction and convex in the other; modified condyloid joint; allow for a wide range of movement

example of saddle diarthrosis joints

thumb first metacarpal joint

Diarthrosis: ball and socket

rounded convex surface within a cup-shaped depression; greatest range of motion

examples of ball and socket diarthrosis joints

shoulder hip