Joints

These flashcards cover the key concepts related to joints and their classifications, functions, and common disorders.

Joint (Articulation)

A site where two or more bones meet, allowing for mobility and holding the skeleton together.

Fibrous Joints

Joints joined by dense fibrous connective tissue; no joint cavity, most are immovable.

Sutures

Immovable fibrous joints of the skull where bone edges interlock and allow for growth during youth.

Syndesmoses

Fibrous joints connected exclusively by ligaments, allowing slight movement.

Gomphoses

Peg-in-socket joints; immovable joints found only between teeth and their sockets.

Cartilaginous Joints

Joints united by cartilage; no joint cavity; not highly movable.

Synchondroses

Cartilaginous joints where bones are united by hyaline cartilage; almost all are immovable.

Symphyses

Cartilaginous joints that unite bone with fibrocartilage; these joints are slightly movable.

Synovial Joints

Joints that separate bones with a fluid-filled joint cavity; all are freely movable.

Articular Cartilage

Hyaline cartilage covering the ends of bones in synovial joints, preventing crushing.

Bursae

Fluid-filled sacs that decrease friction where ligaments, muscles, tendons, or bones rub together.

Gliding Movements

Sliding movements that occur between flat bone surfaces.

Angular Movements

Movements that increase or decrease the angle between two bones.

Flexion

Decreases the angle between two bones, usually in the sagittal plane.

Extension

Increases the angle between two bones, usually in the sagittal plane.

Abduction

Movement of a limb away from the body midline in the frontal plane.

Adduction

Movement of a limb toward the body midline in the frontal plane.

Circumduction

Moving a limb so that it describes a cone in space.

Rotation

Turning of a bone around its own long axis.

Elevating Movement

Lifting a body part superiorly; moving mandible up.

Depressing Movement

Lowering a body part; moving mandible down.

Inflammation

The body's response to injury or disease, often causing redness, swelling, and pain.

Sprains

Reinforcing ligaments are stretched or torn, affecting joints.

Arthritis

A group of more than 100 inflammatory or degenerative diseases that damage joints.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Most common type of arthritis—irreversible 'wear-and-tear' arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Chronic, autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks its own cells.

Gouty Arthritis

Deposition of uric acid crystals in joints and soft tissues, causing inflammation.