Classification of Joints

Functional Classification:

Synarthrosis

Amphiarthrosis

Diarthrosis

Structural Classification

Fibrous joints

Cartilaginous joints

Synovial joints

Synarthrosis

Immovable joint

Amphiarthrosis

Joint with limited movement

Diarthrosis

Freely movable joint

Fibrous Joints

Syndesmosis

Suture

Gomphosis

Syndesmosis

Fibrous articulations held together by interosseous ligaments and slender fibrous cords; allow slight movement

Example of Syndesmosis

Distal tibiofibular joint

Suture

Found only Between bones and the skull; immovable / synarthrodial

Example of Suture

Skull sutures

Gomphosis

A conical process inserted into a socket-like portion of bone; allows limited movement

Example of Gomphosis

Roots of Teeth

Cartilaginous Joints

Symphyses

Synchondroses

Symphyses

Broad, flattened disc of fibrocartilage between two contiguous bony surfaces; slightly movable

Example of Symphyses

Intervertebral discs, symphysis pubis

Synchondroses

Temporary joint in which connecting hyaline cartilage is converted into bone at adulthood; considered synarthrodial / immovable

Example of Synchondroses

Epiphyseal plates

Synovial joints

Plane (gliding)

Ginglymus (hinge)

Trochoid (pivot)

Ellipsoid (condylar)

Sellar (saddle)

Spheroidaln(ball and socket)

Bicondylar

Plane (gliding)

Sliding or gliding motion

Example of Plane

Intermetacarpal, carpometacarpal, intercarpal joints

Ginglymus (hinge)

Flexion and extension only

Example of Ginglymus

Interphalangeal joints, elbow joint

Trochoid (pivot)

Rotational movement

Example of Trochoid

Proximal and distal radioulnar joints, C1-C2 joints

Ellipsoid (condylar)

Flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, circumduction

Example of Ellipsoid

Metacarpophalangeal joints 1st-5th, wrist joint

Sellar (saddle)

Flexion extension, abduction, adduction, circumduction

Example of Sellar

Thumb, first carpometacarpal joint

Spheroidal (ball and socket)

Greatest freedom of motion; flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, circumduction, medial, and lateral rotation

Example of Spheroidal

Shoulder and hip joints

Bicondylar

Usually movement in a single direction with limited rotation

Example of Bicondylar

Knee, temporomandibular joint

Fibrous

Little or no movement

Cartilaginous

Slight or no movement

Synovial

Freely movable

Ball and socket

Most movement

Hinge

Flexion and extension only

Pivot

Rotation

Structure

Tells how it is built

Function

Tells how it moves