Joint Classification: Structural and Functional Types in Human Anatomy

Fibrous joint

Bones held together by dense connective tissue

Cartilaginous joint

Bones joined by cartilage

Synovial joint

Bones joined by ligaments with fluid-filled joint cavity separating bone surfaces

Synarthroses

Immobile joints, can be fibrous or cartilaginous joints

Amphiarthroses

Slightly mobile, can be fibrous or cartilaginous joints

Diarthroses

Freely mobile joints, All synovial joints

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ)

Head of mandible articulates with temporal bone

TMJ mobility

Only mobile joint between bones in the skull

Articular capsule

Has loose articular capsule that surrounds joint

Range of motion

Promotes extensive range of motion

Articular disc

Thick pad of fibrocartilage

Temporomandibular Joint

A joint that connects the jaw to the skull.

Sternoclavicular Joint

A saddle joint with a fibrocartilaginous articular disc, allowing elevation, depression, and circumduction of the clavicle.

Acromioclavicular Joint

A plane joint formed from the acromion and lateral end of the clavicle.

Glenohumeral Joint

A ball-and-socket joint that allows a wide range of motion in the shoulder.

Hip Joint

A ball-and-socket joint that connects the femur to the pelvis.

Knee Joint

A hinge joint that connects the thigh bone to the shin bone.

Tibial collateral ligament injury

Injury occurring when the leg is forcibly abducted.

Fibular collateral ligament injury

Injury occurring when the medial side of the knee is struck.

ACL injury

Injury that occurs when the leg is hyperextended.

PCL injury

Injury that occurs when the leg is hyperflexed.

Meniscus injury

Injury due to trauma and/or overuse.

Unhappy triad

Injury of the tibial collateral ligament, medial meniscus, and ACL, occurring due to a lateral blow to the knee that abducts and laterally rotates the leg.

Talocrural joint

Highly modified hinge joint permitting dorsiflexion and plantar flexion.

Talocrural joint articulations

Includes two articulations within one articular capsule: between distal end of tibia and talus, and between distal end of fibula and lateral aspect of talus.

Sprain

Stretching or tearing of ligaments without fracture or dislocation.

Pott fracture

Occurs with over eversion; medial malleolus avulsed off of tibia (fracture) and talus moves laterally to fracture fibula.

Development of joints

Joints start to form by sixth week of development.

Fibrous joints development

Mesenchyme differentiates into dense regular connective tissue.

Cartilaginous joints development

Mesenchyme differentiates into fibrocartilage or hyaline cartilage.

Synovial joints development

Laterally placed mesenchyme forms articular capsule and supporting ligaments.

Arthritis

Group of inflammatory or degenerative diseases of the joints.

Gouty arthritis

Typically seen in middle-aged or older males due to increased levels of uric acid.

Osteoarthritis

Degenerative joint condition in older individuals due to wearing down of articular cartilage.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Seen in younger to middle-aged adults, often women; autoimmune disorder starting with synovial membrane inflammation.