Articulations, Joint Movements, and Bone Markings

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the structural and functional classifications of articulations, synovial joint subtypes, types of joint movements, and various categories and specific examples of bone markings.

Articulations (Joints)

Places where bone meets bone.

Fibrous Joints

Structural classification where fibrous connective tissue binds articulating bones.

Cartilaginous Joints

Structural classification where cartilage binds bones.

Synovial Joints

Structural classification where a synovial cavity is present with ligaments assisting.

Synarthroses

Functional class describing immovable joints where bones are in close contact and separated by a thin layer of fibrous connective tissue, such as sutures in the skull.

Amphiarthroses

Functional class describing slightly movable joints where bones are connected by hyaline cartilage or fibrocartilage, such as the ribs to sternum or symphysis pubis.

Diarthroses

Functional class describing freely movable joints, which are the most common in the body and feature bones surrounded by articular cartilage and a joint cavity.

Synovial fluid

A fluid made by the synovial membrane, which is the inner membrane of the joint capsule.

Hinge Joint

A diarthrosis subtype where a spool-shaped surface fits into a concave surface, allowing movement in one plane about a single axis like a hinged door; examples include the elbow and knee.

Pivot Joint

A diarthrosis subtype where an arch-shaped surface rotates about a rounded or peg-like pivot, such as the joint between the axis and atlas.

Ball and Socket Joint

A diarthrosis subtype where a ball-shaped head fits into a concave socket, providing the widest range of all joints; examples include the shoulder and hip joints.

Condyloid (ellipsoidal) Joint

A diarthrosis subtype featuring an oval-shaped condyle that fits into an elliptical cavity, allowing movement in two planes at right angles; example is the wrist joint.

Saddle Joint

A diarthrosis subtype where a saddle-shaped bone fits into a socket curved in the opposite direction, providing freer movement than a condyloid joint; example is between the first metacarpal and trapezium.

Gliding Joint

A diarthrosis subtype with usually flat articulating surfaces that allow nonaxial movement; examples include the carpal bones and sacroiliac joints.

Flexion

The decreasing of the angle between two bones.

Extension

The increasing of the angle between two bones.

Abduction

Movement of a body part away from the midline.

Adduction

Movement of a body part toward a midline.

Medial rotation

Turning of a bone on its own axis toward the midline of the body.

Lateral rotation

Turning of a bone on its own axis away from the midline of the body.

Supination

Placing of the palm of the hand in anatomical position.

Pronation

Placing of the palm opposite to anatomical position (toward the back).

Elevation

Raising of a body part.

Depression

Lowering of a body part.

Protraction

Thrusting forward of a body part.

Retraction

Withdrawal of a body part.

Dorsiflexion

Bending of the foot toward the shin.

Plantar flexion

Bending of the foot away from the shin.

Inversion

Rotation of the sole of the foot inward.

Eversion

Rotation of the sole of the foot outward.

Projections

Areas of bone that project above the surface and serve as attachment points for tendons and ligaments.

Holes

Openings or grooves that allow blood vessels and nerves to enter the bone.

Head

A prominent rounded surface, such as the head of the femur.

Facet

A flat surface, such as those found on vertebrae.

Condyle

A rounded surface, such as the occipital condyles.

Protuberance

A protruding bone marking, such as the chin.

Process

A prominence feature, such as the transverse process of vertebrae.

Spine

A sharp process, such as the ischial spine.

Tubercle

A small, rounded process, such as the tubercle of the humerus.

Tuberosity

A rough surface, such as the deltoid tuberosity.

Line

A slight, elongated ridge, such as the temporal lines of the parietal bones.

Crest

A ridge, such as the iliac crest.

Fossa

An elongated basin, such as the mandibular fossa.

Fovea

A small pit, such as the fovea capitis on the head of the femur.

Sulcus

A groove, such as the sigmoid sulcus of the temporal bones.

Canal

A passage in bone, such as the auditory canal.

Fissure

A slit through bone, such as the auricular fissure.

Foramen

A hole through bone, such as the foramen magnum in the occipital bone.

Meatus

An opening into a canal, such as the external auditory meatus.

Sinus

An air-filled space in bone, such as the nasal sinus.