Articulations and Joint Classifications

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the classification, structure, and functions of human joints based on the provided lecture notes.

Synarthrosis

A functional classification of joints that does not allow any movement between articulating bones.

Amphiarthrosis

A functional classification of joints that allows only a small amount of movement between articulating bones.

Diarthrosis

A functional classification of joints that is freely moveable, allowing a wide variety of specific movements.

Fibrous joints

Joints fastened together by dense regular collagenous connective tissue without a joint space; examples include sutures, gomphoses, and syndesmoses.

Cartilaginous joints

Joints fastened together with cartilage without a joint space; examples include synchondroses and symphyses.

Synovial joints

Diarthrosis joints that have a layer of hyaline cartilage on articulating surfaces and a fluid-filled joint cavity.

Suture

An immoveable fibrous joint between the edges of bones that make up the cranium.

Gomphosis

An immoveable fibrous joint between each tooth and its bony socket in the jaw.

Periodontal ligament

A strong fibrous membrane that links a tooth firmly to the jaw bone.

Syndesmosis

A fibrous joint between bones like the tibia and fibula or ulna and radius, joined by an interosseous membrane or ligament.

Synchondrosis

A cartilaginous joint consisting of bones linked together by hyaline cartilage, such as epiphyseal plates and the first sternocostal joint.

Symphysis

A cartilaginous joint where bones are united by a fibrocartilaginous pad or plug; functionally an amphiarthrosis.

Articular capsule

A double-layered structure in synovial joints with an outer fibrous layer for isolation and an inner synovial membrane.

Synovial fluid

A thick liquid that provides lubrication, metabolic transportation of nutrients/waste, and shock absorption within a joint.

Articular cartilage

A thin layer of hyaline cartilage covering all exposed articulating bones within a joint to reduce wear and tear from friction.

Ligament

A strand of dense regular collagenous connective tissue that links one bone to another to provide strength and reinforcement.

Tendon

A structural component of skeletal muscle composed of dense regular collagenous connective tissue that connects muscle to bone.

Muscle tone

A continuous level of muscle contraction that provides a stabilizing force for joints.

Bursa

A synovial fluid-filled fibrous structure that helps to minimize friction between all moving parts associated with joints.

Tendon sheath

A long bursa that surrounds tendons to protect them as they slide across joints during movement.

Bursitis

Inflammation of a bursa resulting from trauma, repetitive movements, or inflammatory disease.

Osteoarthritis

The most common form of arthritis, generally associated with wear and tear, injuries, and advanced age.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Arthritis associated with joint destruction mediated by the individual’s own immune system.

Gouty arthritis

Joint damage caused by an inflammatory reaction to uric acid crystal deposits.

Nonaxial joints

Synovial joints that allow motion to occur in one or more planes without moving around an axis.

Uniaxial joints

Synovial joints that allow motion around only one axis.

Biaxial joints

Synovial joints that allow motion around two axes.

Multiaxial (triaxial) joints

Synovial joints that allow motion around three axes.

Flexion

An angular movement that decreases the angle between articulating bones by bringing them closer together.

Extension

An angular movement that increases the angle between articulating bones.

Abduction

Motion of a body part away from the midline of the body or another reference point.

Adduction

Motion of a body part towards the midline of the body or another reference point.

Circumduction

A cone-shaped motion where a freely moveable distal bone moves on a fixed proximal bone.

Rotation

A nonangular motion in which one bone rotates on an imaginary line running down its middle longitudinal axis.

Opposition

Movement of the thumb at the first carpometacarpal joint that allows it to move across the palmar surface of the hand.

Depression

Movement of a body part in an inferior direction.

Protraction

Movement of a body part in an anterior direction.

Inversion

A rotational motion in which the plantar surface of the foot rotates medially toward the midline of the body.

Dorsiflexion

Movement where the angle between the foot and the leg decreases.

Plantarflexion

Movement where the angle between the foot and the leg increases.

Plane joint

The most simple and least mobile synovial joint type, featuring gliding motion between flat surfaces or two bones.

Hinge joint

A synovial joint where a convex articular surface interacts with a concave depression, allowing uniaxial movement.

Pivot joint

A synovial joint where a rounded end surface fits into a groove, allowing uniaxial rotation around another bone.

Condylar (ellipsoid) joint

A biaxial synovial joint where an oval, convex surface fits into a shallow, concave articular surface.

Saddle joint

A biaxial synovial joint where each articulating surface has both concave and convex regions.

Ball-and-socket joint

A multiaxial synovial joint where a spherical surface fits into a cup-shaped depression, allowing the widest range of motion.

Humeroulnar joint

The larger articulation of the elbow, located between the trochlea of the humerus and the trochlear notch of the ulna.

Anular ligament

A ligament that binds the head of the radius to the neck of the ulna to stabilize the radial head.

Tibiofemoral joint

The articulation in the knee between the femoral and tibial condyles.

Meniscus

C-shaped fibrocartilaginous pads in the knee that provide shock absorption and stability.

Unhappy triad

A common knee injury involving the rupture of the tibial collateral ligament, the medial meniscus, and the anterior cruciate ligament.

Glenoid labrum

A fibrocartilaginous ring that increases the depth of the glenoid cavity to provide stability to the shoulder joint.

Rotator cuff

A group of muscles providing structural stabilization to the shoulder joint, including the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor.

Acetabular labrum

A fibrocartilaginous ring that helps to stabilize the head of the femur within the acetabulum of the hip.

Ligament of head of femur

A small ligament connecting the femoral head with the acetabulum, providing a pathway for blood vessels.