Human Anatomy and Physiology - Joints

Flashcards for reviewing key vocabulary related to joints, including types of joints, movements, and conditions.

Joints/Articulations

Sites where two or more bones meet.

Functions of Joints

Give skeleton mobility and hold skeleton together.

Structural Classifications of Joints

Three types based on what material binds the joints and whether a cavity is present.

Functional Classifications of Joints

Three types based on movement joint allows.

Synarthroses

Immovable joints.

Amphiarthroses

Slightly movable joints.

Diarthroses

Freely movable joints.

Fibrous Joints

Bones joined by dense fibrous connective tissue with no joint cavity.

Sutures

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

Syndesmoses

Bones connected by ligaments, bands of fibrous tissue.

Gomphoses

Peg-in-socket joints; examples are the teeth in alveolar sockets.

Cartilaginous Joints

Bones united by cartilage with no joint cavity.

Synchondroses

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

Symphyses

Fibrocartilage unites bone; strong, amphiarthrotic (slightly movable) joints.

Synovial Joints

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

Articular cartilage

Consists of hyaline cartilage covering ends of bones which prevents crushing of bone ends

Joint (synovial) cavity

Small, fluid-filled potential space that is unique to synovial joints

External fibrous layer

Dense irregular connective tissue

Inner synovial membrane

Loose connective tissue that makes synovial fluid

Synovial fluid

Viscous, slippery filtrate of plasma and hyaluronic acid that lubricates and nourishes articular cartilage and contains phagocytic cells to remove microbes and debris.

Capsular ligaments

Thickened part of fibrous layer.

Extracapsular ligaments

Outside the capsule.

Intracapsular ligaments

Deep to capsule; covered by synovial membrane.

Bursae

Bags of synovial fluid that act as lubricating "ball bearing".

Tendon sheaths

Elongated bursae wrapped completely around tendons subjected to friction.

Origin

Attachment to immovable bone.

Insertion

Attachment to movable bone.

Nonaxial movement

Slipping movements only.

Uniaxial movement

Movement in one plane.

Biaxial movement

Movement in two planes.

Multiaxial movement

Movement in or around all three planes.

Gliding movements

One flat bone surface glides or slips over another similar surface.

Angular movements

Increase or decrease angle between two bones.

Flexion

Decreases the angle of the joint.

Extension

Increases the angle of the joint.

Hyperextension

Movement beyond the anatomical position.

Abduction

Movement along frontal plane, away from the midline.

Adduction

Movement along frontal plane, toward the midline.

Circumduction

Involves flexion, abduction, extension, and adduction of limb; limb describes cone in space.

Rotation

Turning of bone around its own long axis, toward midline or away from it.

Medial rotation

Rotation toward midline.

Lateral rotation

Rotation away from midline.

Supination

Palms face anteriorly; radius and ulna are parallel.

Pronation

Palms face posteriorly; radius rotates over ulna.

Dorsiflexion

Bending foot toward shin.

Plantar flexion

Pointing toes.

Inversion

Sole of foot faces medially.

Eversion

Sole of foot faces laterally.

Protraction

Movement in lateral plane where mandible juts out.

Retraction

Movement in lateral plane where mandible is pulled toward neck.

Elevation

Lifting body part superiorly.

Depression

Lowering body part.

Opposition

Touching thumb to tips of other fingers on same hand or any grasping movement.

Dislocations (luxations)

Bones forced out of alignment.

Subluxation

Partial dislocation of a joint.

Bursitis

Inflammation of bursa, usually caused by blow or friction.

Tendonitis

Inflammation of tendon sheaths, typically caused by overuse.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

Irreversible, degenerative (“wear-and-tear”) arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease of unknown cause where the immune system attacks own cells.

Gouty arthritis

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