Anatomy of Joints and Movement Types

Vocabulary flashcards covering functional and structural joint classifications, types of fibrous, cartilaginous, and synovial joints, and fundamental joint movements based on the lecture.

Synarthroses

Functional classification of joints that are immovable.

Amphiarthroses

Functional classification of joints that are slightly movable.

Diarthroses

Functional classification of joints that are freely movable.

Fibrous Joints

Structural classification of joints composed of dense fibrous connective tissue with virtually no joint cavity and little to no movement.

Sutures

Fibrous joints found exclusively in the skull, where interlocking connective tissue fibers attach to the periosteum and eventually ossify into synostoses in middle age.

Syndesmoses

Fibrous joints where bones are connected solely by ligaments made of fibrous tissue bands, such as the joint connecting the radius and ulna.

Gomphoses

Peg-in-socket fibrous joints occurring between teeth and alveolar sockets, secured by periodontal ligaments.

Cartilaginous Joints

Structural classification of joints where bones are connected by cartilage, lacking a joint cavity and exhibiting limited movement.

Synchondroses

Cartilaginous joints composed of hyaline cartilage, exemplified by epiphyseal plates in children's long bones and the connection between the first rib and manubrium.

Symphyses

Cartilaginous joints composed of compressible fibrocartilage that absorb shock, found between vertebrae and in the pelvis.

Synovial Joints

Structural classification of freely movable joints containing a fluid-filled cavity, predominant in the limbs.

Articular Cartilage

Cartilage covering opposing bone surfaces within a synovial joint to protect the ends of the bones.

Synovial Fluid

A highly viscous fluid in the joint cavity containing hyaluronic acid secreted by synovial membrane cells, serving as a lubricant to reduce friction between cartilage layers.

Articular Capsule

A structure surrounding a synovial joint composed of an inner synovial membrane and an outer fibrous layer.

Menisci

Fibrocartilage discs or fat pads found in certain synovial joints that separate articular surfaces.

Origin

The attachment point of a skeletal muscle to an immovable bone.

Insertion

The attachment point of a skeletal muscle to a movable bone.

Gliding Movement

A nonaxial movement where one flat bone surface slides smoothly over another, such as in intercarpal and intertarsal joints.

Flexion

An angular movement that decreases the angle between two bones at a joint, such as bending the head forward or bending at the waist.

Extension

An angular movement that increases the angle between two bones at a joint, such as straightening the neck, elbow, or knee.

Hyperextension

An angular movement involving extension beyond the normal anatomical position, such as tilting the head or trunk backward.

Abduction

Movement of a limb away from the midline of the body, such as raising an arm laterally.

Adduction

Movement of a limb toward the midline of the body, such as bringing an elevated arm back down to the side.

Circumduction

Movement of a limb in a circular or conical path.

Rotation

The turning of a bone around its own longitudinal axis, occurring at the hip and shoulder joints.