Human Skeleton and Joint Classifications: Structure and Function

How many bones are in the adult human body?

206 bones

What is a joint?

A joint, or articulation, is a place where adjacent bones or bone and cartilage come together to form a connection.

What is the role of joints in the skeletal system?

Many joints allow for movement between the bones, while others provide stability with little or no movement.

What is the relationship between joint stability and movement?

Stable joints allow for little or no mobility, while joints that provide the most movement are the least stable.

What are the two main classifications of joints?

Anatomical classification and functional classification.

What does anatomical classification of joints consider?

It considers whether bones are anchored by fibrous connective tissue or cartilage, or if they articulate within a joint cavity.

What are the four types of anatomical joint classifications?

Fibrous, cartilaginous, synostoses (bony), and synovial.

What characterizes fibrous joints?

Fibrous joints are bound by fibrous connective tissue, with direct contact and no joint cavity.

What characterizes cartilaginous joints?

Cartilaginous joints are bound by cartilage, with direct contact and no joint cavity.

What are synostoses joints?

Synostoses joints occur when bones fuse together by osseous tissue.

What defines synovial joints?

Synovial joints have articulating surfaces that are not directly connected, allowing for a joint cavity.

What is the functional classification for immoveable joints?

Synarthrosis

What is the functional classification for slightly moveable joints?

Amphiarthrosis

What is the functional classification for freely moveable joints?

Diarthrosis

What are the three types of movement classifications under diarthrosis?

Uniaxial, biaxial, and multiaxial.