Human Anatomy and Physiology - Chapter 9 Part B: Selected Synovial Joints and Joint Disorders

Vocabulary flashcards covering the major synovial joints of the body (jaw, shoulder, elbow, hip, knee), joint injuries, and joint pathologies.

Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)

The jaw joint; capable of both hinge movement (elevation and depression of the mandible) and gliding movement (lateral excursion), and is the most easily dislocated joint in the body.

Lateral excursion

The side-to-side gliding movement of the mandible at the temporomandibular joint that allows for grinding of the teeth.

Anterior dislocation of the TMJ

The most common direction of temporomandibular joint dislocation due to its shallow socket, causing the mouth to remain open until a physician pushes the mandible back into place.

Shoulder (Glenohumeral) Joint

A ball-and-socket joint where the large head of the humerus articulates with the shallow glenoid cavity of the scapula; it is the most freely moving joint in the body, sacrificing stability for mobility.

Elbow Joint

A hinge joint formed primarily by the trochlear notch of the ulna articulating with the trochlea of the humerus, allowing only flexion and extension.

Hip (Coxal) Joint

A ball-and-socket joint where the large, spherical head of the femur articulates with the deep, cup-shaped acetabulum of the hip bone.

Acetabular labrum

A fibrocartilaginous rim that deepens the acetabulum of the hip joint, helping to secure the femoral head and making hip dislocations rare.

Femoropatellar joint

A plane joint within the knee that allows a gliding motion of the patella across the femur during knee flexion.

Tibiofemoral joint

The joint formed by the medial and lateral joints between the femoral condyles and the menisci of the tibia; acts as a hinge joint allowing flexion, extension, and limited rotation when flexed.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)

An intracapsular knee ligament attaching to the anterior tibia that prevents the tibia from sliding forward and stops hyperextension of the knee.

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)

An intracapsular knee ligament attaching to the posterior tibia that prevents backward sliding of the tibia and forward sliding of the femur.

The '3 C’s' of knee injuries

The three commonly injured structures of the knee when subjected to horizontal forces: collateral ligaments, cruciate ligaments, and cartilages (menisci).

The 'Unhappy Triad'

A common combined knee injury resulting from lateral blows to an extended knee, consisting of tears to the tibial collateral ligament, the medial meniscus, and the anterior cruciate ligament.

Sprain

A joint injury where reinforcing ligaments are stretched or torn, commonly occurring in the ankle, knee, and lumbar back region.

Dislocation (luxation)

A joint condition where bones are forced out of their normal anatomical alignment, commonly caused by severe falls or contact sports, requiring reduction to treat.

Subluxation

A partial or incomplete dislocation of a joint.

Bursitis

Inflammation of a bursa, typically caused by a direct blow or repetitive friction, treated with rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Tendonitis

Inflammation of tendon sheaths, typically caused by overuse, presenting symptoms and treatments similar to bursitis.

Osteoarthritis (OA)

The most common chronic, irreversible 'wear-and-tear' arthritis caused by excessive enzyme breakdown of articular cartilage outpacing its replacement, affecting half of Americans by age 85.

Crepitus

A crunching or grating noise and stiffness occurring in joints with osteoarthritis, especially upon rising, due to roughened articulating surfaces.

Osteophytes

Bony spurs that form from the thickened ends of bones in joints affected by osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

A chronic, systemic autoimmune disease that attacks joint tissues, typically arising between ages 40 and 50 and affecting three times as many women as men.

Pannus

An abnormal, thickened layer of inflamed synovial membrane that clings to and erodes articular cartilage in rheumatoid arthritis.

Ankylosis

The abnormal stiffening and fusion of articulating bone ends by scar tissue following cartilage destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.

Gouty arthritis

An inflammatory joint disease caused by the deposition of uric acid crystals in joints and soft tissues, most commonly affecting men at the base of the great toe.

Lyme disease

A bacterial infection transmitted by tick bites, characterized by skin rash, flu-like symptoms, and foggy thinking, which can lead to joint pain and arthritis if untreated.