Joints: Structure, Classification, and Disorders

Flashcards covering key concepts about joints, including their classification, structure, function, and common disorders.

What are articulations?

Sites where two or more bones meet.

What are the functions of joints?

Give the skeleton mobility and hold the skeleton together.

What are the three structural classifications of joints?

Fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial.

What are the three functional classifications of joints based on movement?

Synarthroses, amphiarthroses, and diarthroses.

What are the three types of fibrous joints?

Sutures, syndesmoses, and gomphoses

What are sutures?

Rigid, interlocking joints of the skull that allow for growth during youth.

Closed, immovable sutures are referred to as what?

Synostoses

What are syndesmoses?

Bones connected by ligaments, bands of fibrous tissue.

What is an example of a syndesmosis joint with short fibers offering little to no movement?

Inferior tibiofibular joint.

What is an example of a syndesmosis joint with longer fibers offering a larger amount of movement?

Interosseous membrane connecting radius and ulna.

What are gomphoses?

Peg-in-socket joints.

What is the fibrous connection that holds a tooth in its socket?

Periodontal ligament.

What are the two types of cartilaginous joints?

Synchondroses and Symphyses.

What are synchondroses?

Bar or plate of hyaline cartilage unites bones; almost all are synarthrotic (immovable).

What are examples of synchondroses?

Temporary epiphyseal plate joints and cartilage of the 1st rib with the manubrium of the sternum.

What are symphyses?

Fibrocartilage unites bone; hyaline cartilage also present as articular cartilage on bony surfaces.

What are examples of symphyses?

Intervertebral joints and pubic symphysis.

What are synovial joints?

Bones are separated by a fluid-filled joint cavity; all are diarthrotic (freely movable).

What are the six general features of synovial joints?

Articular cartilage, joint (synovial) cavity, articular (joint) capsule, synovial fluid, reinforcing ligaments, nerves and blood vessels.

What are bursae?

Bags of synovial fluid that act as lubricating “ball bearings”.

What are tendon sheaths?

Elongated bursae wrapped completely around tendons subjected to friction.

What three factors determine the stability of joints to prevent dislocations?

Shape of articular surface, ligament number and location, and muscle tone.

What are the three general types of movements allowed by synovial joints?

Gliding, angular movements, and rotation.

What are the six different types of synovial joints?

Plane, hinge, pivot, condylar, saddle, and ball-and-socket.

What are the five main synovial joints?

Jaw (tempormandibular), shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee.

What are the two types of movement for the temporomandibular joint?

Hinge (depression and elevation of mandible) and gliding (side-to-side grinding of teeth).

Describe the shoulder joint.

Large, hemispherical head of humerus fits in the small, shallow glenoid cavity of scapula.

What movements are allowed at the elbow joint?

Flexion and extension only.

Describe the knee joint.

Largest, most complex joint of the body, consisting of three joints surrounded by a single cavity.

What are the '3 C's' of common knee injuries?

Collateral ligaments, cruciate ligaments, cartilages (menisci)

What are common joint injuries?

Cartilage tears, sprains, dislocations.

What are common inflammatory joint conditions?

Bursitis and tendonitis.

What are examples of chronic forms of arthritis?

Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gouty arthritis.

What is a joint disorder caused by bacteria transmitted by tick bites?

Lyme disease