Lesson 9 Structure Function of Forelimb Joints Vocab

Vocabulary flashcards covering the types and components of joints as described in Lesson 8.

Articular cartilage

The smooth layer of cartilage (usually hyaline) covering the articular ends of bones.

Articulation or joint

Union or junction between two or more bones.

Cartilaginous joints

An articulation united by fibrocartilage or hyaline cartilage.

Compound joint

Articulation between more than two bones (e.g. elbow and carpus).

Extra capsular ligaments

Located on the outside of or as part of the joint capsule. It helps to stabilize the joint, preventing excessive movement and dislocations (e.g. collateral ligaments on the sides of all hinge joints).

Fibrous joint

An articulation united by fibrous tissue. Often temporary joints that later ossify.

Freely movable joint or diarthrosis (diarthroses)

Characterized by its mobility and joint cavity within a synovial membrane encased in the joint capsule. These types of joints include all synovial joints of the body.

Gomphosis

The fibrous implantation of teeth into the alveoli of the jaw bone.

Hyaline cartilage joint or synchondrosis (synchondroses)

Is a cartilaginous joint where the bones are joined by hyaline cartilage, or where a bone is united to hyaline cartilage.

Immovable joint or synarthrosis

The fixed, tight union allowing little or no movement and having great strength.

Intracapsular ligaments

Ligaments located within the joint capsule (e.g. cruciate ligaments of the stifle joint).

Joint capsule

The two-layered structure surrounding the joint, made of an outer fibrous layer and an inner synovial membrane.

Ligamentous joint or syndesmosis

Two bones united by a sheet of fibrous connective tissue (e.g. attachments between the coastal cartilages in the coastal arch).

Ligaments

Tough cords formed by connective tissue uniting bones. Usually inelastic and may be intracapsular or extracapsular.

Simple joint

An articulation between two bones (e.g. shoulder hip).

Slightly movable joint or amphiarthrosis (amphiarthroses)

A joint characterized by the presence of dense connective tissue, such as ligaments or tendons, allowing slight movement (limited range of motion).

Suture

A fibrous joint between the skull bones. They are immovable joints that may ossify with age.

Symphysis

A cartilaginous joint where the bones are joined by fibrocartilage (e.g. pelvic symphysis, joints between the sternebrae, and the fibrocartilaginous discs between the vertebral bodies).

Synovial fluid

A viscous fluid in the cavities of synovial joins in dogs. It is produced by the synovial membrane.

Synovial (diarthrodial, moveable) joint

The most common type of join, characterized by its mobility, joint cavity, synovial fluid, articular cartilage, synovial membrane and fibrous capsule.

Synovial membrane

The inner lining of the fibrous layer. It is highly vascular, nerve rich, and produces synovial fluid.